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

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

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