Definition

Noun: 1. A mythical heraldic creature: A wivern is a legendary, fire-breathing dragon-like creature used in medieval heraldry and coats of arms. It is typically depicted with the head of a dragon, a serpent's tail, a scaly body, two legs (often like those of an eagle), and a pair of wings.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The family crest featured a golden wivern rampant on a red field.
  • In the tapestry, a knight was shown battling a fierce wivern.

Advanced Usage

• Heraldic Terminology: In heraldic descriptions (blazons), the wivern's specific posture (e.g., "rampant" for rearing up) and tincture (colors) are precisely stated.
  • The wivern displayed on the shield was vert, langued gules. (The wivern on the shield was green, with a red tongue.)

Variants and Related Words

• Wyvern (noun): This is the more common modern spelling of the same creature.
  • The wyvern is a common symbol in fantasy literature.

Synonyms

• Heraldic dragon: A general term for dragon-like creatures in heraldry.
• Dragonet: A term sometimes used for smaller or specific types of dragons, which can overlap with the concept of a wivern.

Notes on Meaning

• The wivern is distinct from the more common four-legged dragon of myth. Its defining characteristic in heraldry is having only two legs, with its tail often ending in a spearhead or barb.

Noun

1. a fire-breathing dragon used in medieval heraldry; had the head of a dragon and the tail of a snake and a body with wings and two legs