Roundel

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɹaʊn.dəl/

Definitions

1. A small circular emblem often used as a decorative or symbolic design ; a circular identification mark painted on military aircraft to show nationality or allegiance
2. A ring-shaped symbol or medallion used for decoration or as a badge ; a round colored mark applied to the bodies of military planes for recognition
3. A round ornament or disc serving as a heraldic or decorative device ; a painted circle used on military aircraft as an insignia indicating their country

Etymology: Roundel began as a small round thing, and its name is simply a shrunken version of "round." It came into Middle English as "roundel," "rundel," or "rondel," borrowed from Old French "rondel," meaning "something round and flat." That French word is a diminutive of "rond," meaning "round," so the suffix does the work of saying "little." The English word is thus a round-object-in-miniature, built on the same stem that gave us "round" itself. Over time the word narrowed from any small flat circle to the decorative disc itself, the sort of ornament set into a wall, a shield, or a window. The Middle English spellings already show the two versions the French had produced, which is why modern English keeps "roundel" while "rondel" survives as a variant.