The Forgotten Word "Gisant": Uncovering the History of Recumbent Figures in Tombstones

Gisant is an archaic French word that means "lying, reclining" or "sleeping". It is no longer commonly used in modern French, but it can be found in older texts and literature.

In the context of tombstones, gisant refers to a recumbent figure carved on a tombstone, typically depicting the deceased person lying down or reclining in a relaxed position. These figures were popular in medieval and Renaissance art, and were often used to depict noble or aristocratic individuals in a state of eternal repose.

The word "gisant" is derived from the Old French word "giser", which means "to lie down" or "to sleep". It is related to the modern French word "coucher", which means "to lie down" or "to go to bed".