Her. [a. F. flasque] A bearing similar to a flanch, but occupjing a smaller part of the field (see FLANCH sb.1).
The heraldic use is not recorded in F., but in the sense ‘cheek of a gun-carriage’ (see FLASK sb.3) it was a synonym of flanque, which had also a heraldic sense = FLANCH sb.1
1562. Leigh, Armorie, 121. The fielde Or, ij. Flasques Azure.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, II. vi. (1611), 63. A flasque is an ordinary consisting of one arch line drawne somewhat distant from the corners of the chiefe and meanely swelling by degrees until you come towards the middest of the Escocheon, and from thence again decreasing with a like comely discent unto the sinister base points.
1721–1800. in Bailey, Flask.
1864. Boutell, Heraldry Hist. & Pop., vii. 32. Flasques or Voiders … are formed by two curved lines, and are always borne in pairs, one on either side of the field.
1872. Ruskin, Eagle’s N., § 235. The Flasque, a space of colour terminated by a curved line on each flank of the shield.
