Cartouche

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /kɑːˈtuːʃ/
• US IPA: /kɑɹˈtuʃ/
• Rhymes: -uːʃ

Origin

Borrowing from fr {{2}} cartouche, from Italian cartuccia, from carta, from Latin charta, from Ancient Greek χάρτης.

Full definition of cartouche

Noun

1. (architecture) An ornamental figure, often on an oval shield.
2. (Egyptian hieroglyphics) an oval figure containing characters that represent the names of royal or divine people.
• 1887 — Henry Rider Haggard, , ch IIIBesides the uncial writing on the convex side of the sherd at the top, painted in dull red, on what had once been the lip of the amphora, was the cartouche already mentioned as being on the scarabaeus, which we had also found in the casket. The hieroglyphics or symbols, however, were reversed, just as though they had been pressed on wax.
3. A paper cartridge.
4. A wooden case filled with balls, to be shot from a cannon.
5. A gunner's bag for ammunition.
6. A military pass for a soldier on furlough.