1. The surface, generally 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 arm of the
knight who bears the
shield on
his hand is called dexter, and the another
side sinister.
The
two sides of an
escutcheon are respectively designated as
dexter and sinister, as in the cut, and the various parts or points by the
next names: A, Dexter chief point; B, Medium chief point; C, Sinister chief point; D, Honor or
colour point; E, Fesse or
heart point; F, Nombrill or
navel point; G, Dexter
base point; H, Medium
base point; I,
base point.
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.
3. That
part of a vessel's stern on which her name is written.
4. A
thin metal plate or
shield to protect tree, or for ornament, as the
shield near a keyhole.
5.
The depression behind the beak of determined bivalves; the ligamental area. 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.
Origin: OF. Escusson, F. Ecusson, from OF. Escu shield, F. Ecu. See Esquire, Scutcheon.
Source: Websters Vocabulary