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

“You girls are my vocation. If I were to receive a proposal of marriage tomorrow from the Lord Lyon King-of-Arms I would decline it. I am dedicated to you in my prime.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Lyon is also king-of-arms for the national order of the Thistle.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

The allusion is to an Ireland king-of-arms mentioned in the reign of Richard II. and superseded by Ulster.

From Project Gutenberg

Ulster is king-of-arms to the order of St Patrick.

From Project Gutenberg