cartouche

or car·touch

[ kahr-toosh ]

noun

1. Architecture. a rounded, convex surface, usually surrounded with carved ornamental scrollwork, for receiving a painted or low-relief decoration, as an escutcheon.
2. an oval or oblong figure, as on ancient Egyptian monuments, enclosing characters that represent the name of a sovereign.
3. the case containing the inflammable materials in certain fireworks.
4. cartridge ( def 1 ).
5. a box for cartridges.

cartouche

/ kɑːˈtuːʃ /

noun

1. a carved or cast ornamental tablet or panel in the form of a scroll, sometimes having an inscription
2. an oblong figure enclosing characters expressing royal or divine names in Egyptian hieroglyphics
3. the paper case holding combustible materials in certain fireworks
4. rare.
   a cartridge or a box for cartridges

Word History and Origins

Origin of cartouche¹

1605–15; < Middle French < Italian cartoccio, equivalent to cart ( a ) paper ( carte ) + -occio augmentative suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of cartouche¹

C17: from French: scroll, cartridge, from Italian cartoccio, from carta paper; see card ¹

Example Sentences

“If you inspect the birth-name cartouche closely, you see clear, underlying traces of a reed leaf,” he said in an email.

From New York Times

A pointed spear is planted in her left hand, a shieldlike cartouche in her right, its surface etched with the devastating Kavanaugh question, now permanently enshrined.

From Los Angeles Times

Some mud bricks bear the seal of King Amenhotep III’s cartouche, or name insignia.

From Seattle Times

The archaeological team dated the settlement through hieroglyphic inscriptions found on wine vessels, as well as rings, scarabs, pottery and mud bricks bearing the seals of King Amenhotep III’s cartouche, the statement said.

From Washington Post

The archaeological team dated the settlement through hieroglyphic inscriptions found on wine vessels, rings, scarabs, pottery and mud bricks bearing the seals of King Amenhotep III’s cartouche, the statement said.

From Seattle Times