Main Entry: es·cutch·eon

Pronunciation: \is-ˈkə-chən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English escochon, from Anglo-French escuchoun, from Vulgar Latin *scution-, scutio, from Latin scutum shield — more at esquire

Date: 15th century

1 : a defined area on which armorial bearings are displayed and which usually consists of a shield
2 : a protective or ornamental plate or flange (as around a keyhole)
3 : the part of a ship's stern on which the name is displayed

[escutcheon illustration]