fesse

/fes/
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fesse

A knight's shield displays a bold fesse across its center.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A broad horizontal band across the middle of a heraldic shield: In heraldry, a "fesse" is an ordinary, which is a simple geometric charge or figure, depicted as a wide horizontal stripe occupying the central third of a shield.
Examples of Usage
  • Noun:
    • The coat of arms features a red fesse on a gold field.
    • A fesse is one of the most common and recognizable ordinaries in heraldic design.
Advanced Usage
  • "In fesse": A term describing the arrangement of multiple charges placed horizontally across the shield, following the line of a fesse.
    • The three stars were placed in fesse.
  • "Fesse-wise": An alternative term meaning horizontally, in the manner of a fesse.
    • The two swords were crossed fesse-wise.
Variants and Related Words
  • Fess: The more common modern spelling of "fesse". Both forms are correct.
    • The shield was divided by a blue fess.
  • Bar: A narrower horizontal band. If a shield has two such bands, they are typically called bars rather than fesses.
  • Ordinary: The general category of basic heraldic charges to which the fesse belongs.
Synonyms
  • Horizontal band: A descriptive, non-heraldic synonym.
  • Bar: While similar, in precise heraldic terminology, a "bar" is narrower and often appears in pairs.
Related Phrases
  • Couped in fesse: A term for a charge that is cut off horizontally at both ends.
  • Enhanced: A term describing a fesse that is placed slightly higher than the exact center of the shield.
fesse

A knight's shield displays a bold fesse across its center.

Noun
  1. (heraldry) an ordinary consisting of a broad horizontal band across a shield