n.1 a Archit. a scroll-like ornament, e.g. the volute of an Ionic capital. b a tablet imitating, or a drawing of, a scroll with rolled-up ends, used ornamentally or bearing an inscription. c an ornate frame.
2 Archaeol. an oval ring enclosing Egyptian hieroglyphs, usu. representing the name and title of a king.
Etymology: F, cartridge, f. It. cartoccio f. carta CARD(1)