Discuss escutcheon here.
ESCUTCHEON (0. Fr. escucheon, escusson, modern ecusson, through a Late Lat. form from Lat. scutum, shield), an heraldic term for a shield with armorial bearings displayed (see Heraldry). The word is also applied to the shields used on tombs, in the spandrils of doors or in string-courses, and to the ornamented plates from the center of which door-rings, knockers, etc., are suspended, or which protect the wood of the key-hole from the wear of the key. In medieval times these were often worked in a very beautiful manner.
noun
Ordinary language
1) An ornamental plate, such as is used on a coffin to be inscribed with the name, age, etc., of the deceased person.
2) A perforated plate to finish an opening, as the keyhole plate of a door, drawer, or desk.
Technically
1) Heraldry: The shield on which coat-armor is represented; the shield of a family. It originally took the simple form of the knight’s war-shield, but was afterward varied in a fanciful manner.
“All laughed; the Landlord’s face grew red
As his escutcheon on the wall.” - Longfellow
2) Nautical: The compartment on a ship’s stern on which her name is written.
3) Zoology: An impression existing behind the beaks of a bivalve shell, as distinguished from one placed before them, which is called a Lunule. - (S.P. Woodward)
[From Old French escusson (French ecusson), from escu; see escuage.]
