officer of arms

American  

noun

1. an officer with the duties of a herald, especially one charged with the devising, granting, or confirming of armorial bearings.

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officer of arms British  

noun

1. heraldry a pursuivant or herald

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Etymology

Origin of officer of arms

First recorded in 1490–1500

Example Sentences

York Herald of Arms in Ordinary, Peter O’Donoghue discusses the 500-year history of the College of Arms in London and his role as an officer of arms in modern Britain, a reception follows.

From Washington Post

"Marshall; the chief officer of arms, one who regulates rank and order."

From The Grammar of English Grammars by Brown, Goold

The chief of the official Heralds of England, and officer of arms of the Order of the Garter.

From The Handbook to English Heraldry by Utting, R. B.

The knight-marshal, with his officers, having reached this barrier of city authority, the trumpets are sounded thrice; and the junior officer of arms riding up to the gate, knocks with a cane. 

From City Scenes or a peep into London by Darton, William

The immense majority of the pedigrees of the landed gentry," says a well-known officer of arms, "cannot, I fear, be characterised as otherwise than utterly worthless.

From Love Romances of the Aristocracy by Hall, Thornton