noun
- heraldic displays showing a coat of arms, typically diamond-shaped and hung outside the house of a deceased person
Usage: archaic; heraldic
Examples
- The old manor house still displayed ancient hatchments from centuries past.
- Hatchments were traditionally hung outside the homes of deceased nobility.
- The museum’s collection included several medieval hatchments showing family crests.
- In heraldic tradition, hatchments indicated the death of someone entitled to bear arms.
- The church walls were adorned with hatchments commemorating prominent local families.