king-of-arms

American  

[king-uhv-ahrmz] / ˈkɪŋ əvˈɑrmz /

noun

plural

kings-of-arms

1. a title of certain of the principal heralds of England and certain other kingdoms empowered by their sovereigns to grant armorial bearings.

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king-of-arms British  

noun

1. the highest rank of heraldic officer, itself divided into the ranks of Garter, Clarenceaux, and Norroy and Ulster. In Scotland the first is Lyon

2. a person holding this rank

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Etymology

Origin of king-of-arms

First recorded in 1400–50, king-of-arms is from late Middle English king of armes. See king, arm ²

Example Sentences

In Ireland also there is but one king-of-arms, Ulster.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 3 "Helmont, Jean" to "Hernosand" by Various

And I am astonished at you, king-of-arms, when you try to make peace out of discord.

From The White Knight: Tirant Lo Blanc by Rudder, Robert S.

In 1634 he was appointed historiographer and genealogist of France, and in 1641 juge d’armes of France, an officer corresponding nearly to the Garter king-of-arms in England.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 7 "Horticulture" to "Hudson Bay" by Various

"The king-of-arms, whose name was Jerusalem, answered: "'My lord, Tirant, I promise you by the office I hold and by the oath I have sworn, to keep everything you tell me secret.'

From The White Knight: Tirant Lo Blanc by Rudder, Robert S.

"When they had finished it all, the knight said to the king-of-arms: "'You have arranged the battle, and you are here on Tirant's behalf.

From The White Knight: Tirant Lo Blanc by Rudder, Robert S.