LingvoCore.com

fesse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C2/Obscure
UK/fɛs/US/fɛs/

Technical/Heraldry, Archaic

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “fesse” mean?

A broad horizontal band across the centre of a heraldic shield.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A broad horizontal band across the centre of a heraldic shield.

In heraldry, an ordinary (a basic geometrical charge) occupying the middle third of the shield. The term can also be encountered as an archaic or poetic verb meaning 'to fess up' or confess.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant regional differences in the heraldic term, as heraldic terminology is largely standardized and derived from Anglo-Norman. The archaic verb form is equally obsolete in both varieties.

Connotations

Technical, historical, or antiquarian when referring to heraldry. Archaic and jocular when used as a verb.

Frequency

Extremely rare in everyday language. Almost exclusively found in contexts discussing heraldry, medieval history, or in reprints of old texts.

Grammar

How to Use “fesse” in a Sentence

[Shield/Arms] + be + parted/per + fesse[Blazon] + a fesse + [tincture][Verb] + fesse + up (archaic)

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
a fessea fesse argenta fesse gulesparty per fesse
medium
charged on a fessea shield with a fessein chief above a fesse
weak
broad fessecentral fesseheraldic fesse

Examples

Examples of “fesse” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • "Come, man, fesse to your crime!" the magistrate cried (archaic).

American English

  • He refused to fesse up about the missing pie (archaic/jocular).

adjective

British English

  • The shield was party per fesse, green and gold.

American English

  • A fesse division is less common than a pale one in modern designs.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Virtually never used.

Academic

Used in historical, heraldic, and genealogical studies.

Everyday

Not used.

Technical

Standard term in heraldry and blazonry.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “fesse”

Strong

ordinary (in heraldry)confess (for archaic verb)

Weak

central divisionhorizontal charge

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “fesse”

pale (vertical heraldic band)bend (diagonal heraldic band)

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “fesse”

  • Misspelling as 'fess' when referring to the heraldic ordinary (though 'fess' is an accepted variant).
  • Pronouncing it like 'face'.
  • Using it as a modern verb instead of 'fess' or 'confess'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is a highly specialized term from heraldry and is considered obscure. Most native speakers would not know it.

In heraldry, they are variants of the same term for the horizontal band. As a verb, 'fess' (to confess) is the standard modern short form; 'fesse' is an archaic spelling.

It is pronounced like 'fess' (/fɛs/), rhyming with 'mess', not like 'face'.

Not in standard usage. The modern verb is 'fess' (as in 'fess up'), which is informal. 'Fesse' as a verb is obsolete.

A broad horizontal band across the centre of a heraldic shield.

Fesse is usually technical/heraldry, archaic in register.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “Fess up (modern, from 'fess', not 'fesse')”
  • “Party per fesse (heraldic term for divided horizontally)”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a knight's SHIELD with a big, thick FAÇADE (sounds like 'fesse') painted across its middle. The façade is a horizontal band.

Conceptual Metaphor

CENTRALITY/ DIVISION (as it centrally divides the shield horizontally).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The coat of arms was divided horizontally, or , into two equal fields.
Multiple Choice

In which field is the term 'fesse' primarily used today?

fesse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore