Caboched

/kəˈboʊʃd/ adjective

Definition

In heraldry, a term describing an animal's head shown facing forward and cut off at the shoulders.

Etymology

From 'caboche' (a rounded form) plus '-ed' as a past participle adjective. Used in heraldic terminology to describe how beast heads are depicted in coats of arms.

Kelly Says

Medieval heraldry had incredibly specific vocabulary—a caboched lion head was different from a 'jessant-de-lis' or 'couped' head, and each meant something precise about the family's status.

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