Word argent (AHR'juhnt) n. Definition --n. 1. Archaic. Silver or something resembling it. 2. Heraldry. The metal silver, represented by the color white. Etymology ME < OFr. < Lat. argentum, silver. Word armorial (ahr-MAWR'ee-uhl, -MOHR'-) adj. Definition --adj. Of or pertaining to heraldry or heraldic arms. --n. A book or treatise on heraldry. Word attire (uh-TIGHR') tr.v. Definition 1. In heraldry, the antlers of a deer. Etymology ME attiren < OFr. atirier, to put in order : a-, to (< Lat. ad-) + tire, rank. Word base (bays) n. Definition --n. 1. In heraldry, the lower part of a shield. Etymology ME < OFr. < Lat. basis < Gk. Mathematics, Chemistry Word bend sinister n. Definition --n. A band passing from the upper sinister corner of an escutcheon to the lower dexter corner. Usage Heraldry. Word bend (bend) n. Definition --n. A band passing from the upper dexter corner of an escutcheon to the lower sinister corner. Usage Heraldry. Etymology ME, prob. < OFr. bende, band. Word Calvary cross n. Definition --n. In heraldry, a Latin cross set on three steps. Word camelopard (kuh-MEL'uh-pahrd') n. Definition --n. 1. Archaic. A giraffe. 2. In heraldry, a bearing resembling a giraffe but represented with long curved horns. Etymology Med. Lat. camelopardus < Lat. camelopardalis < Gk. kamelopardalis : kamelos, camel + pardalis, var. of pardos, pard (so called because the giraffe has a head like a camel's and the spots of a leopard). Word couchant (KOU'chuhnt) adj. Definition --adj. Heraldry. Lying down with the head raised. Etymology ME < OFr., pr.part. of couchier, to lay down. Word device (di-VIGHS') n. Definition --n. 1. A decorative design, figure, or pattern, as one used in embroidery. 2. A graphic symbol or motto, esp. in heraldry. Etymology ME < OFr. devis, division, and devise, design, both < deviser, to devise. Word dexter (DEK'stuhr) adj. Definition --adj. 1. Heraldry. Located on the wearer's right and the observer's left. Etymology Lat. Word fess point n. Definition --n. The center point of an escutcheon. Usage Heraldry. Word fess also fesse (fes) n. Definition --n. A wide horizontal band forming the middle section of an escutcheon. Usage Heraldry. Etymology ME fesse < OFr. < Lat. fascia, band. Word field (feeld) n. Definition --n. 1. Heraldry. The background area of a shield or one of the divisions of the background. Etymology ME < OE feld. Word fillet (FIL'it) n. Definition --n. 1. Heraldry. A narrow horizontal band placed in the lower fourth area of the chief. Etymology ME filet < OFr., dim. of fil, thread < Lat. filum. Word guardant also gardant (GAHR'dnt) adj. Definition --adj. Indicating an animal shown in full face, turned toward the viewer. Usage Heraldry. Etymology OFr. gardant, pr.part. of garder, to guard, of Germanic orig. Word gules (gyoolz) n. Definition --n. The color red, indicated on a blazon by engraved vertical lines. Usage Heraldry. Etymology ME goules < OFr., pl. of gole, throat < Lat. gula. Word herald (HER'uhld) n. Definition --n. 1. A person who carries or proclaims important news; messenger. 2. One that gives a sign or indication of something to come; harbinger: The crocus is the herald of spring. 3. Chiefly Brit. An official whose specialty is heraldry. 4. a. An official formerly charged with making royal proclamations and bearing messages of state between sovereigns. b. An official who formerly made proclamations and conveyed challenges at a tournament. --tr.v. -alded, -alding, -alds. To proclaim; announce: heard the cheers that heralded their arrival. Etymology ME < AN, of Germanic orig. Word heraldic (huh-RAL'dik) adj. Definition --adj. Of or pertaining to heralds or heraldry. heraldically --adv. Word heraldry (HER'uhl-dree) n., pl. Definition --n., pl. -ries. 1. The study or art of tracing genealogies, of determining, designing, and granting coats of arms, and of ruling on questions of rank or protocol. 2. Armorial ensigns or devices. 3. Pageantry. Word issuant (ISH'oo-uhnt) adj. Definition --adj. 1. Archaic. Emerging. 2. In heraldry, designating an animal with only the upper part depicted. Word leopard (LEP'uhrd) n. Definition --n. 1. In heraldry, a lion in side view, having one forepaw raised and the head facing the observer. Etymology ME < OFr. < LLat. leopardus < LGk. leopardos : Gk. leon, lion + Gk. pardos, pard. Word martlet (MAHRT'lit) n. Definition --n. 1. In heraldry, a representation of a bird without feet, used as a crest or bearing to indicate a fourth son. Etymology OFr. martelet, prob. alteration of martinet, dim. of martin, martin. Word nombril (NAHM'bruhl) n. Definition --n. The point on an escutcheon between the fess point and the base point. Usage Heraldry. Etymology OFr., nombril, navel, alteration of ombril, navel < Lat. umbilicus. Word ordinary (AWR'dn-er'ee) adj. Definition --n., pl. -ies. 1. One of the simplest and commonest charges in heraldry, such as the bend and the cross. Etymology ME ordinarie < Lat. ordinarius < ordo, order. Word pale[1] (payl) n. Definition --n. 1. Heraldry. A wide vertical band in the center of an escutcheon. 2. the Pale. The medieval dominions of the English in Ireland. Etymology ME < OFr. pal < Lat. palus. Word passant (PAS'uhnt) adj. Definition --adj. Heraldry. Designating a beast facing and walking toward the viewer's right with one front leg raised. Etymology ME < OFr. < pr.part. of passer, to pass. Word pile[2] (pighl) n. Definition --n. 1. Heraldry. A wedge-shaped charge pointing downward. Etymology ME < OE pil < Lat. pilum, spear. Word quarter (KWAWR'tuhr) n. Definition --n. 1. Any of four equal divisions of a shield in heraldry. Etymology ME < OFr. quartier < Lat. quartarius < quartus, fourth. Word quatrefoil (KAT'uhr-foil', KAT'ruh-) n. Definition --n. 1. A representation of a flower with four petals or a leaf with four leaflets, esp. in heraldry. 2. Archit. An ornament or tracery with four foils or lobes. Etymology ME quaterfoile : quater-, four (< OFr. quatre < Lat. quattuor) + foil, leaf < OFr. < Lat. folium. Word rampant (RAM'puhnt) adj. Definition --adj. 1. a. Rearing or ramping on the hind legs. b. Heraldry. Rearing on the left hind leg with the forelegs elevated, the right above the left, and usually with the head in profile. Etymology ME rampaunt < OFr. rampant, pr.part. of ramper, to ramp. Word regardant (ri-GAHR'dnt) adj. Definition --adj. With the face turned backward in profile. Usage Heraldry. Etymology ME < OFr., pr.part. of regarder, to regard. Word sable (SAY'buhl) n. Definition --n. 1. The color black, esp. in heraldry. --adj. 1. Of the color black, as in heraldry or mourning. Etymology ME < OFr., of Slavic orig. Word saltire (SAWL'tir', SAL'-) n. Definition --n. An ordinary in the shape of a St. Andrew's cross, formed by the crossing of a bend and a bend sinister. Usage Heraldry. Etymology ME sawtire < OFr. saultoir, stile < saulter, to jump < Lat. saltare. Word seme (se-MAY', suh-) adj. Definition --adj. Having a design embellished with small, delicate figures, such as a lacing of stars or flowers. Usage Heraldry. Etymology Fr., p.part. of semer, to sow, scatter < Lat. seminare < semen, seed. Word sinister (SIN'i-stuhr) adj. Definition --adj. 1. Heraldry. On the left of the bearer and hence on the right of the observer. Etymology ME sinistre < OFr. < Lat. sinister, on the left, unlucky. Word vert (vert) n. Definition --n. 1. The color green, esp. in heraldry. Etymology ME verte < AN < OFr. vert, verd, green. Word voided (VOI'did) adj. Definition --adj. Having the central area cut out or left vacant, leaving a narrow border or outline. Usage Heraldry. Word volant (VOH'luhnt) adj. Definition --adj. 1. Heraldry. Depicted with the wings extended as in flying. Etymology Lat. volans, volant-, pr.part. of volare, to fly. Word wyvern also wivern (WIGH'vuhrn) n. Definition --n. A two-legged dragon having wings and a barbed and knotted tail. Usage Heraldry. Etymology ME wyvere, viper < ONFr. wivre < Lat. vipera.