heraldry

[her-uh l-dree]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR heraldry ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural her·ald·ries.

the science of armorial bearings.

the art of blazoning armorial bearings, of settling the rights of persons to bear arms or to use certain bearings, of tracing and recording genealogies, of recording honors, and of deciding questions of precedence.

the office or duty of a herald.

a heraldic device, or a collection of such devices.

a coat of arms; armorial bearings.

heraldic symbolism.

heraldic pomp or ceremony: The coronation was marked by all the magnificence of heraldry.

Origin of heraldry

1350–1400; Middle English. See herald, -ry

Related formsher·ald·ist, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for heraldry

logo, symbol, trademark, insignia, emblem, shield, coat, ensign, escutcheon, signet, heraldry, blazonry, hallmark, stamp, sign, imprint, welt, logotype, marker, emblazonry

Examples from the Web for heraldry

Historical Examples of heraldry

In all such cases the heraldry should be true, and not of the "bogus" kind.
Wood-Carving
George Jack
These shields are figured in the Glossary of Heraldry, pp. 285, 286.
Notes and Queries, Number 189, June 11, 1853
Various
But why is this mere question of heraldry a matter of importance for the historian?
The Discovery of America Vol. 1 (of 2)
John Fiske.
In heraldry, the common bucket is called a water bouget or budget.
The Sailor's Word-Book
William Henry Smyth
We have to vindicate the reputation of our Heraldry, as well in the one capacity as in the other.
The Handbook to English Heraldry
Charles Boutell

British Dictionary definitions for heraldry

heraldry

noun plural -ries

the occupation or study concerned with the classification of armorial bearings, the allocation of rights to bear arms, the tracing of genealogies, etc

the duties and pursuit of a herald

armorial bearings, insignia, devices, etc

heraldic symbols or symbolism

the show and ceremony of heraldry

Derived Formsheraldist, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for heraldry

"art of arms and armorial bearings," late 14c., heraldy, from Old French hiraudie "heralds collectively," from hiraut (see herald (n.)). The spelling with -r- is attested from 1570s (cf. poetry, pedantry).