saltire

[ sal-teer, -tahyuh r, sawl- ]

/ ˈsæl tɪər, -taɪər, ˈsɔl- /

noun Heraldry.

an ordinary in the form of a cross with arms running diagonally from the dexter chief to the sinister base and from the sinister chief to the dexter base; St. Andrew's cross.

Nearby words

Idioms

in saltire, (of charges) arranged in the form of a saltire.

per saltire, diagonally in both directions: party per saltire.

Also saltier.

Origin of saltire

1350–1400; Middle English sawtire < Middle French sautoir crossed jumping bar < Medieval Latin saltātōrium something pertaining to jumping; see saltant, -tory²

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

Examples from the Web for saltire

Someone has added a small Saltire to one of the wreaths, paying tribute to a shared history that was forged in battle.
Voter Intimidation Grips Scotland as It Votes on Independence|Nico Hines|September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“One extra Saltire among a sea of flags seems like a fair way to celebrate,” he said.
Andy Murray Survived Dunblane School Massacre Before Winning Wimbledon|Nico Hines|July 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The first night at Cottingdean Lord Saltire had his writing-desk unpacked, and took therefrom a rusty key.
Ravenshoe|Henry Kingsley
At the Dissolution the arms were Gules, two keys in saltire surmounted by a sword in pale, argent.
Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Gloucester [2nd ed.]|H. J. L. J. Mass

Attached to the latter is a collared baboon; beneath is a shield charged with the arms of the see of York, two keys in saltire.
Wood Carvings in English Churches|Francis Bond
He was referring to his having told Lord Saltire that he had seen Charles.
Ravenshoe|Henry Kingsley
A Bishop has: His official coat of arms, his mitre, two crosiers in saltire behind his escutcheon.
A Complete Guide to Heraldry|Arthur Charles Fox-Davies

British Dictionary definitions for saltire

saltire

less commonly saltier

/ (ˈsɔːlˌtaɪə) /

noun

heraldry an ordinary consisting of a diagonal cross on a shield

Word Origin for saltire

C14 sawturoure, from Old French sauteour cross-shaped barricade, from saulter to jump, from Latin saltāre

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 saltire

saltire

c.1400, an ordinary that resembles a St. Andrew's Cross on a shield or flag, consisting of a bend dexter and a bend sinister crossing each other, from Middle French saultoir, literally "stirrup," from Medieval Latin saltatorium, properly neuter of Latin saltatorius "pertaining to leaping," from salire "to leap" (see salient (adj.)). The connection between a stirrup and the diagonal cross is perhaps the two deltoid shapes that comprise the cross.