lozenge
.
Searchable Lemmata: losenge (AF), lozenga (L), losenge (ME), lozenge (MdE).
Alternate Forms: lesenges, lessingis, losanga, loseignes, losenges, losengys, loseyns, losongis, lossenges, loysyns, lozinga, lozenges, lozzingys.
Definitions and Defining Citations:
1(n.)
Decoration;
a decorative rhombus or diamond shape (in fabric, embroidery, or of other materials) or a pattern made of such shapes; especially, such a shape used as a bearing in heraldry, where it is typically less elongated than the fusil (q.v.).(ante 1300 still in current use)
Sex: N/A Ceremonial: No
Body Parts:
Etymological Evidence:
Definite, AF/OF losenge, losange 'lozenge, diamond shape' > Latin and Middle English. The earlier French etymology is uncertain; it is most likely a derivative of OF lauze 'roofing slate', < Occitan lausa (though lozenge is attested at an earlier date), attributed either to a hypothetical Gaulish *lausa or a Vulgar Latin *lapidea < lapis 'stone'; other etymologies connect it with French losenge 'flattery' (semantically problematic) or as a borrowing via the Crusader states in the Middle East) of Middle Persian lawzinak 'a kind of cake' < lawz 'almond'.
WF: Borrowed into the British Isles
Etym Cog:
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