What is "cottise"

Cottise \Cot"tise\ (k[o^]t"t[i^]s), n. [Cf. F. c[^o]t['e] side, L. costa rib.] (Her.) A diminutive of the bendlet, containing one half its area or one quarter the area of the bend. When a single cottise is used alone it is often called a cost. See also Couple-close.

n. (context heraldry English) A diminutive of the bendlet, containing one half its area or one quarter the area of the bend.