lambrequin

(lam’bre-kin), x. [ the covering or trappings of a helmet, a mantle, scallop; origin uncertain.] 1. A piece of textile fabric, leather, or the like, hanging by one of its edges, and typically having the opposite edge dagged, slitted, scalloped, or otherwise cut in an ornamental manner: used in several ways. (a) In medieval armor, a piece of stuff worn over the helmet of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, especially at tourneys and justs. This usage is figured in modern heraldry. See below. (0) In upholstery, a sort of curtain covering the upper part of an opening, as a door or window, and often forming a kind of cornice to the curtain proper. (c) A short curtain or a piece of drapery suspended for ornament from a mantel-shelf or the like. 2. In decorative art, painting on a surface more or le imitating or resembling a lambrequin, as in some Chinese vases, in which the upper part of the body is covered by solid decoration having a lower edge of jagged or ornamented outline.—3. In her., the mantelet, represented as floating from the helmet, and often forming an important part of the ornamental decoration of the achievement. lambskin (lam’skin),. 1. The furred or wooll skin of a lamb, either of natural color or dyed, 210 3335 prepared for use in dre or in the ornamenting of costume, for mats, etc.; also, collectively, material so prepared from lambs’ skins. The finest lambskins are the Persian, which are either gray or black, and rank among costly furs. Hungarian and Spanish lambskins are used especially in the national costume for men, a jacket or short coat being made wholly of this material. Pru ian lambskins are used for coat-cuffs and coat-collars. One of the best-known varieties is astrakhan. A furred gown to keep him warm: and furred with fox and lamb-skins too. Shak., M. for M., iii. 2. 9. 2. The skin of a lamb, or collectively the skins of lambs, freed from wool and dre ed for making gloves, ete.—38. Woolen cloth made to resemble lambskin.—4, Anthracite coal of inferior quality (culm). [Swansea, Wales. ]