SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

escutcheon

noun es·cutch·eon \ i-ˈskə-chən \

Definition of escutcheon

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

See escutcheon defined for kids

Recent Examples of escutcheon from the Web

Potato knob #K203 (on escutcheon #E414) in white bronze, medium patina, by Rocky Mountain Hardware.

— elle decor staff, ELLE Decor, "Resource Guide Feb. 2004," 5 July 2012

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'escutcheon.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of escutcheon

Origin and Etymology of escutcheon

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Other Heraldry Terms

blazon, cachet, couchant, dormant, potent, standard, totem

Medical Dictionary

escutcheon

noun es·cutch·eon \ is-ˈkəch-ən \

medical Definition of escutcheon

: the configuration of adult pubic hair

Learn More about escutcheon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about escutcheon

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up escutcheon? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

traduce

play

to lower or disgrace the reputation of

BROWSE DICTIONARY

escudo

esculent

escutcheon

escutcheoned

escutcheon of pretense

Test Your Vocabulary

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

alt-5ada140ed3e28

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

alt-5ad8fc71357ed

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

No, it's not a coiffure trend

alt-5ad8d3361fb97

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

You're on the edge of your seat

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally

Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz

cats-on-impossible-timber

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz

Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game