Entte

/ɛnˈteɪ/ noun

Definition

A heraldic term referring to a charge or device that is cut off or separated at the edge of a shield, appearing incomplete or truncated.

Etymology

From Old French 'enté' (grafted, joined), derived from Latin 'innestare' (to graft). In heraldry, the term evolved to describe any charge that appears to be divided or joined at the shield's edge, creating a distinctive visual effect.

Kelly Says

In heraldry, 'entte' is one of hundreds of specialized terms that sounds like mystical nonsense until you realize medieval knights needed extremely precise language to describe exactly which lions, crosses, or strange creatures appeared on shields so they could be recognized in battle!

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