annulet

American  

[an-yuh-lit] / ˈæn yə lɪt /

noun

1. Also called bandelet, bandlet.  Also called square and rabbet.  Architecture. an encircling band, molding, or fillet, as on the shaft of a column.

2. Entomology. a ring, usually colored, around or on the surface of an organ.

3. Heraldry. a ring, represented as a voided roundel, used especially as the cadence mark of a fifth son.

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annulet British  

/ ˈænjʊlɪt /

noun

1. architect a moulding in the form of a ring, as at the top of a column adjoining the capital

2. heraldry a ring-shaped device on a shield; hollow roundel

3. a little ring

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Etymology

Origin of annulet

1565–75; < Latin annul ( us ) ring ( annulus ) + -et; replacing earlier anlet < Anglo-French anelet, diminutive of Old French anel ring < Latin ānellus ring

Example Sentences

Per fesse indented quarterly or and sable, in each quarter an annulet counterchanged.

From Notes and Queries, Number 43, August 24, 1850 by Various

In the church at Stepney is a tomb to the memory of Lady Rebecca Berry, who died 1696, in whose coat-of-arms a fish and an annulet appear.

From Rambles of an Archaeologist Among Old Books and in Old Places Being Papers on Art, in Relation to Archaeology, Painting, Art-Decoration, and Art-Manufacture by Fairholt, F. W. (Frederick William)

Thomas le Scrope, on the other hand, for Cadency marks the golden bend upon his azure Shield, No. 111, with an annulet sable, as in No. 353.

From The Handbook to English Heraldry by Utting, R. B.

Thus, the eldest son bears a label; the second a crescent; the third a mullet; the fourth a martlet; the fifth an annulet; and the sixth a fleur-de-lis.

From The Curiosities of Heraldry by Lower, Mark Antony

The Pakingtons of Worcester quarter Ermine on a fesse componé or, and az. an annulet for Arden.

From Shakespeare's Family by Stopes, C. C. (Charlotte Carmichael)