Also 8 ? lamequin, 9 lambrikin. [a. F. lambrequin.]
1. A scarf or piece of stuff worn over the helmet as a covering. In Her. represented with one end (which is cut or jagged) pendant or floating. (In 18th-c. works explained as = LABEL or LAMBEAU.)
1725. J. Coats, Dict. Heraldry, Lambrequin, the Point of a Label; or Label of a File.
1780. Edmondson, Heraldry, II. Gloss., Lambrequin, or Lamequin.
a. 1843. Southey, Comm.-pl. Bk. (1851), IV. 202. Lambrequins, ribbands embroidered with silver and gold, which hung from the armets of the knights.
1869. Cussans, Her. (1893), 190. The Mantling, Lambrequin or Cointise is the ornamental accessory which generally appears behind and around the Escutcheon. It was probably devised to protect the Helmet from the rain and sun, in the same manner that the Surcoat protected the armour.
1891. Conan Doyle, in Cornh. Mag., May, 456. I might bear it as a token or lambrequin upon my helm.
2. U.S. A cornice with a valance of pendent labels or pointed pieces, placed over a door or window; a short curtain or piece of drapery (with the lower edge either scalloped or straight) suspended for ornament from a mantel-shelf. Also transf. and attrib.
1883. F. M. Crawford, Dr. Claudius, iii. Mr. Barker smiled under the lambrikin of his moustache.
1885. Howells, Silas Lapham (1891), II. 55. Heavy curtains … hung from gilt lambrequin frames at the window.
1885. G. Iles, in Century Mag., XXX. Aug., 581/2. At dull times it is usual to renovate, say, an entire floor [of a hotel], with carpets, curtains, and lambrequins.
1888. T. W. Higginson, Women & Men, 162. The carved marble mantle-piece was concealed by a lambrequin.
3. Ceramics. Ornamentation consisting of solid color with a lower edge of jagged or scalloped outline. Also attrib.
1873. Mrs. Palliser, trans. Jacquemart’s Ceram. Art, 362. Let us explain what we understand by lambrequins, dentelles and style rayonnant.
1878. J. J. Young, Ceram. Art (1879), 127. On others are … lace or lambrequin patterns.
