Her. Obs. Also 6 emaunche. [a. Fr. emmanché, f. en- (see EN-1) + manche, masc., handle.
In Fr. heraldry the word is used (1) of an axe or other weapon, having the handle of a certain tincture different from that of the blade; (2) of the field, denoting what Eng. heralds call barry-pily. Neither of these senses is recognised in England, though the former appears in some recent Eng. Dicts. The Eng. senses given below are of doubtful authenticity; sense 2 is perh. founded on the erroneous derivation from manche, fem., sleeve.]
1. Of the field: (Sir J. Ferne’s engraving represents ‘per fesse dancetté of two points’).
1586. Ferne, Blaz. Gentrie, I. 199. He beareth Emaunche [printed Emanuche] Arg. and Gewles.
2. Of a chief: (see quot.).
1736. Bailey, Enmanché [in Heraldry] is derived from manche, F. a sleeve, and is when the chief has lines drawn from the upper edge of the chief on the sides, to about half the breadth of the chief, signifying as if it had sleeves on it.
1847. in Craig; and in mod. Dicts.
