blazon

American  

[bley-zuhn] / ˈbleɪ zən /

verb (used with object)

1. to set forth conspicuously or publicly; display; proclaim.

   The pickets blazoned their grievances on placards.

2. to adorn or embellish, especially brilliantly or showily.

3. to describe in heraldic terminology.

4. to depict (heraldic arms or the like) in proper form and color.

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noun

1. an escutcheon; coat of arms.

2. the heraldic description of armorial bearings.

3. conspicuous display.

blazon British  

/ ˈbleɪzən /

verb

1. (often foll by abroad) to proclaim loudly and publicly

2. heraldry to describe (heraldic arms) in proper terms

3. to draw and colour (heraldic arms) conventionally

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noun

1. heraldry a conventional description or depiction of heraldic arms

2. any description or recording, esp of good qualities

Other Word Forms

• blazoner noun
• blazonment noun
• unblazoned adjective

Etymology

Origin of blazon

1275–1325; Middle English blaso ( u ) n < Anglo-French, Old French blason buckler, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

His blazon of light can never - and will never - be diminished, quelled or subdued.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2019

If you think there’s a lot more going on in the image than is described in the blazon, you’re right.

From Slate • May 26, 2018

But every generation agrees that a blazon is worth a thousand pictures, so here’s Markle, blazoning it West-Coast-style:

From Slate • May 26, 2018

The word becomes a blazon for the early Enlightenment.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 6, 2014

The riding knight who had captured him was a man of enormous stature, and Lancelot recognized him by his blazon as Sir Carados.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White