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.

QUIZZES

How Hip Is Your Lingo? Take Our Slang Quiz!

If you aren’t already skilled in slang, then this quiz can get you up to speed in no time!

Question 1 of 11

OK Boomer can be perceived as pejorative, but it is mostly considered to be _____

a slang word for astronauts that originated in the 1950s.

a comment toward the Baby Boomer generation that is humorous or ironic in usage.

an obsolete slang term about people who speak loudly.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms for saltire

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

Words nearby saltire

saltillo, saltimbocca, saltine, salting, salting out, saltire, saltirewise, saltish, saltless, saltness, salto

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences 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