accolé

Accolé is a French adjective and the past participle of the verb accoler, meaning placed next to, beside, or attached to something. The term is used in descriptive and technical contexts to indicate juxtaposition or physical attachment rather than mere proximity.

In heraldry, accolé describes designs in which two arms or emblems are shown side by side on a single shield or field. An écus accolé typically implies a union or alliance between the represented entities, with the arms arranged along a shared base line or border. The placement and orientation of the arms are described in heraldic blazoning to convey their relative position.

In architectural and decorative contexts, accolé denotes elements that are attached to or aligned with a larger structure. For example, columns, pilasters, or ornaments described as accolé are understood to be bound to a wall or to another architectural member, forming a composite or continuous façade. The term emphasizes the physical connection between components rather than mere adjacency.

The word is used primarily in French-language texts and specialist literature in heraldry, architecture, and related arts. In translation, accolé is often rendered as adjoined, attached, or side-by-side, depending on the specific context. While it has specific technical uses in certain disciplines, its core idea remains consistent: an object or emblem is placed next to or attached to another ones, creating a linked or paired arrangement.