Lozenge

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This article is about the shape. For the cough tablets, see throat lozenge. For lozenges in heraldry, see lozenge (heraldry).

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A lozenge (◊) is a form of rhombus. The definition of lozenge is not strictly fixed, and it is sometimes used simply as a synonym for rhombus. Most often, though, lozenge refers to a thin rhombus — a rhombus with acute angles of 45°.^[1] The lozenge shape is often used in parquetry and as decoration on ceramics, silverware, and textiles.

1 Applications
2 See also
3 References

[edit] Applications

[edit] Modal logic

In modal logic, the lozenge expresses the possibility of the following expression. For example, the expression $\Diamond P$ expresses that it is possible that P is true.

[edit] Camouflage

Lozenge pattern on German warplane.

During the First World War, the Germans were looking for a way to effectively camouflage their aircraft. This resulted in the development of the so-called lozenge pattern (Lozengetarnung), made up of irregular painted polygons (not necessarily actual rhombi). Because painting such a pattern was very time consuming, and the paint added considerably to the weight of the aircraft, it was decided to print the pattern on fabric. This pre-printed fabric was used from 1916 onwards, in various forms and colours.

[edit] Heraldry

Main article: Lozenge (heraldry)

The lozenge in heraldry is a diamond-shaped charge, usually somewhat narrower than it is tall. A mascle is a voided lozenge –that is, a lozenge with a lozenge-shaped hole in the middle– and the rarer rustre is a lozenge containing a circular hole. A field covered in a pattern of lozenges is described as lozengy; a similar field of mascles is masculy.

[edit] Cough tablets

Main article: Throat lozenge

Cough tablets have taken the name lozenge, based on their original shape. According to the Oxford English Dictionary the first use of this sense was in 1530.

[edit] The glyph

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This article has been tagged since January 2007.

The lozenge glyph is found in DOS code page 437 (at character code 4)^[2] and Mac-Roman. It is also found at Unicode 0x25CA. In HTML it can be typed with &loz; (or ◊ or ◊), which will produce ◊ (and ◊ and ◊).