From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Escutcheon \Es*cutch"eon\, n. [OF. escusson, F. ['e]cusson, from
OF. escu shield, F. ['e]cu. See {Esquire}, {Scutcheon}.]
1. (Her.) The surface, usually a shield, upon which bearings
are marshaled and displayed. The surface of the escutcheon
is called the field, the upper part is called the chief,
and the lower part the base (see {Chiff}, and {Field}.).
That side of the escutcheon which is on the right hand of
the knight who bears the shield on his arm is called
dexter, and the other side sinister.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The two sides of an escutcheon are respectively
designated as dexter and sinister, as in the cut, and
the different parts or points by the following names:
A, Dexter chief point; B, Middle chief point; C,
Sinister chief point; D, Honor or color point; E, Fesse
or heart point; F, Nombrill or navel point; G, Dexter
base point; H, Middle base point; I, base point.
[1913 Webster]
2. A marking upon the back of a cow's udder and the space
above it (the perineum), formed by the hair growing upward
or outward instead of downward. It is esteemed an index of
milking qualities. --C. L. Flint.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Naut.) That part of a vessel's stern on which her name is
written. --R. H. Dane, Jr.
[1913 Webster]
4. (Carp.) A thin metal plate or shield to protect wood, or
for ornament, as the shield around a keyhole.
[1913 Webster]
5. (Zo["o]l.) The depression behind the beak of certain
bivalves; the ligamental area.
[1913 Webster]
{Escutcheon of pretense}, an escutcheon used in English
heraldry to display the arms of the bearer's wife; -- not
commonly used unless she an heiress. Cf. {Impalement}.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
escutcheon
n 1: a flat protective covering (on a door or wall etc) to
prevent soiling by dirty fingers [syn: {finger plate},
{escutcheon}, {scutcheon}]
2: (nautical) a plate on a ship's stern on which the name is
inscribed
3: a shield; especially one displaying a coat of arms [syn:
{escutcheon}, {scutcheon}]
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