Definition

1. Noun:
   • A heraldic design: A unique, symbolic arrangement of elements (shields, colors, figures, mottoes) that serves as the official emblem of a person, family, corporation, or state, traditionally used for identification, especially on shields, seals, and official documents.

Usage

• Noun:
  • The university's coat of arms is displayed above the main entrance.
  • He inherited the family's ancient coat of arms, which features a lion and a castle.
  • The document was authenticated with the royal coat of arms.

Advanced Usage

• "To bear a coat of arms": To have the right to use a specific heraldic emblem.
  • Only the eldest son could bear the full family coat of arms.
• "Blazon a coat of arms": To describe a coat of arms in the formal language of heraldry.
  • The expert was asked to blazon the newly discovered coat of arms.

Variants and Related Words

• Armorial bearings (n): A formal synonym for a coat of arms.
  • The hall was decorated with the armorial bearings of the founding families.
• Crest (n): A component of a coat of arms, often a figure or device placed atop the helmet or shield.
  • The crest of their coat of arms is a griffin.
• Heraldry (n): The system, art, and study of designing, displaying, and recording coats of arms.
  • He studied heraldry to understand his family's history.

Synonyms

• Emblem: A heraldic device or symbolic object.
• Insignia: A badge or distinguishing mark of military rank, office, or membership.
• Escutcheon: A shield or shield-shaped surface on which a coat of arms is displayed.

Related Phrases

• Coat of arms quartered: A shield divided into four or more sections, each displaying different arms to represent inherited lineages.
  • The duke's coat of arms was quartered to show his descent from two noble houses.

Related Idioms

• "A blot on the escutcheon": A disgrace to the honor of a family or institution.
  • The scandal was considered a blot on the company's escutcheon.

Noun

1. the official symbols of a family, state, etc.