armes parlantes

British  

/ arm parlɑ̃t /

plural noun

1. heraldry arms using devices to illustrate the name of the bearers, such as a rose and a wall to illustrate the name Rosewall

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Etymology

Origin of armes parlantes

literally: speaking arms

Example Sentences

I may confess, however, that in later years, when my fortune had bettered, I assumed those armes parlantes, if only as a brave device wherewith to seal a letter.

From Marjorie by McCarthy, Justin H. (Justin Huntly)

Leigh and others call them gorges; but the charge properly known by that name is a whirlpool, as borne in the armes parlantes of the family of Gorges.

From The Curiosities of Heraldry by Lower, Mark Antony

Thus Poulet Malassis had his armes parlantes, a chicken very uncomfortably perched on a rail.

From Books and Bookmen by Lang, Andrew

A facsimile of one of the little drawings which Millet was accustomed to make for acquaintances and collectors of autographs, and which he laughingly called his "armes parlantes."

From McClure's Magazine, Vol. 6, No. 6, May, 1896 by Various