Escurial
(Es*cu"ri*al) n. [Prop. Sp. escorial, i. e., a hill or heap of rubbish, earth, and stones brought
out of a mine, fr. escoria dross of metal, L. scoria, fr. Gr. . Cf. Scoria.] A palace and mausoleum of
the kings of Spain, being a vast and wonderful structure about twenty-five miles northwest of Madrid.
The ground plan is said to be in the form of a gridiron, the structure being designed in honor of St. Lawrence,
who suffered martyrdom by being broiled on a gridiron; but the resemblance is very slight. It is nearly
square, inclosing several courts, and has a projecting mass which stands for the handle.
Escutcheon
(Es*cutch"eon) n. [OF. escusson, F. écusson, from OF. escu shield, F. écu. See Esquire,
Scutcheon.]
1. (Her.) The surface, usually a shield, upon which bearings are marshaled and displayed. The surface
of the escutcheon is called the field, the upper part is called the chief, and the lower part the base
(see Chiff, and Field.). That side of the escutcheon which is on the right hand of the knight who bears
the shield on his arm is called dexter, and the other side sinister.
The two sides of an escutcheon are respectively designated as dexter and sinister, as in the cut, and
the different parts or points by the following names: A, Dexter chief point; B, Middle chief point; C, Sinister
chief point; D, Honor or color point; E, Fesse or heart point; F, Nombrill or navel point; G, Dexter base
point; H, Middle base point; I, base point.
2. A marking upon the back of a cow's udder and the space above it formed by the hair growing upward
or outward instead of downward. It is esteemed an index of milking qualities. C. L. Flint.
3. (Naut.) That part of a vessel's stern on which her name is written. R. H. Dane, Jr.
4. (Carp.) A thin metal plate or shield to protect wood, or for ornament, as the shield around a keyhole.
5. (Zoöl.) The depression behind the beak of certain bivalves; the ligamental area.
Escutcheon of pretense, an escutcheon used in English heraldry to display the arms of the bearer's
wife; — not commonly used unless she an heiress. Cf. Impalement.
Escutcheoned
(Es*cutch"eoned) a. Having an escutcheon; furnished with a coat of arms or ensign.
Young.
Ese
(Ese) n. Ease; pleasure. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Esemplastic
(Es`em*plas"tic) a. [Gr. 'es into, to + "en one + plastiko`s molded, formed. See Plastic.]
Shaped into one; tending to, or formative into, unity. [R.] Coleridge.
Eserine
(Es"er*ine) n. [From native name of the Calabar bean: cf. F. ésérine.] (Chem.) An alkaloid found
in the Calabar bean, and the seed of Physostigma venenosum; physostigmine. It is used in ophthalmic
surgery for its effect in contracting the pupil.
Esexual
(E*sex"u*al) a. [Pref. e- + sexual.] (Biol.) Sexless; asexual.
Esguard
(Es*guard") n. [Cf. OF. esgart regard, F. égard. See Guard.] Guard. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
Eskar
(Es"kar or Es"ker), n. (Geol.) See Eschar.
Eskimo
(Es"ki*mo) n.; pl. Eskimos [Originally applied by the Algonquins to the Northern Indians, and
meaning eaters of raw flesh.] (Ethnol.) One of a peculiar race inhabiting Arctic America and Greenland.
In many respects the Eskimos resemble the Mongolian race. [Written also Esquimau.]
