cartouche
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. An oval or oblong figure, often enclosing a sovereign's name: In ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, a cartouche is an oval or oblong shape with a horizontal line at one end, used to enclose and highlight the name and titles of a pharaoh or deity. 2. An ornate or ornamental frame: A decorative design element, often in the shape of a scroll or an elaborate panel, used to surround an inscription, coat of arms, or illustration in architecture, art, and mapmaking. 3. (Archaic) A cartridge, especially one with a paper casing: This is an older, now less common usage for a cartridge or case for ammunition.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Egyptian Hieroglyph):
- The archaeologist pointed to the cartouche on the tomb wall, identifying it as belonging to Ramses II.
- The royal cartouche served as a protective amulet for the king's name.
- Noun (Ornamental Frame):
- The map's title was beautifully presented within an engraved cartouche in the corner.
- The ceiling fresco was surrounded by an elaborate stucco cartouche.
- Noun (Archaic: Cartridge):
- (Historical context) The soldier loaded a paper cartouche into his musket.
Advanced Usage
- "To decipher a cartouche": To interpret the hieroglyphic symbols within an Egyptian cartouche to identify the royal name.
- The key to dating the temple was deciphering the pharaoh's cartouche on the central pillar.
Variants and Related Words
- Cartouch (noun): An alternative, less common spelling of "cartouche."
- Cartridge (noun): The modern term for a case containing a bullet and explosive, from which the archaic meaning of "cartouche" is derived.
Synonyms
- Oval (specifically for the Egyptian shape).
- Frame, panel, ornament (for the decorative element).
- Cartridge, case, shell (for the archaic ammunition meaning).
Related Idioms or Phrases
- No direct idioms are commonly formed with the word "cartouche." Its use is primarily technical (in Egyptology, art history) or descriptive.
Noun
- a cartridge (usually with paper casing)