noun
or es·cuch·eon ə̇ˈskəchən, eˈ-
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English escochon, from Middle French escuchon, escuçon, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin scution-, scutio, from Latin scutum shield + -ion-, -io -ion — more at esquire
1.
a. : a defined area on which armorial bearings are depicted, marshaled, or displayed usually consisting of a shield or something made to resemble a shield — see dexter 2, sinister ; compare base , chief , fess , lozenge , navel , nombril , point
b. : the portion of such an area not covered by an armorial bearing
c. : coat of arms
his haughty, domineering mother, whose family had some claim to an escutcheon — Theodore Bonnet
d. : a decorative device or emblem resembling a coat of arms
e. : hatchment II
2. or escutcheon plate : a protective or ornamental shield, flange, or border (as around a keyhole or radio dial)
3. : shield budding
4. : the part of a vessel's stern on which her name is displayed
5. : any of certain animal structures shaped somewhat like a shield:
a.
(1) : an area just above the rear part of the udder of many quadrupeds extending upward and outward to the flanks and being distinguished by the hair which turns upward rather than downward
(2) : the distinctive hair of such an escutcheon
b. : the mesoscutellum of a beetle or hemipterous insect
c. : the depression behind the beak of certain bivalves