pursuivant
Americannoun
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a heraldic officer of the lowest class, ranking below a herald.
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an official attendant on heralds.
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any attendant or follower.
noun
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the lowest rank of heraldic officer
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history a state or royal messenger
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history a follower or attendant
Etymology
Origin of pursuivant
1350–1400; < French poursuivant (present participle of poursuivre to pursue, follow ≪ Latin prōsequī ); replacing Middle English pursevant < Middle French pursivant < Latin, as above
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Previous coronations have had historic roles such as the "rouge dragon pursuivant", "unicorn pursuivant" and carriers of the "golden spur" and the "white wand".
From BBC • Jan. 21, 2023
They had scarcely gained the room, and fastened the door, when the pursuivant and his attendants appeared in the corridor.
From Guy Fawkes or The Gunpowder Treason by Ainsworth, William Harrison
Having gained the passage, she found to her horror that the pursuivant and his band were already within the star-chamber.
From Guy Fawkes or The Gunpowder Treason by Ainsworth, William Harrison
“If we cannot make this contumacious rascal speak, we will find others more tractable,” observed the pursuivant.
From Guy Fawkes or The Gunpowder Treason by Ainsworth, William Harrison
“The wages due to the officers of armes when they go owt of the land: “Garter 8s. a day: every of the other kings 7s.: every herald 4s.: every pursuivant 2s.: and theyr ordinary expences.”
From The Curiosities of Heraldry by Lower, Mark Antony
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
