saltire

American  

[sal-teer, -tahy^uhr, sawl-] / ˈsæl tɪər, -taɪər, ˈsɔl- /

noun

Heraldry.

1. 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.

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idioms

1. per saltire, diagonally in both directions.

   party per saltire.

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

saltire British  

/ ˈsɔːlˌtaɪə /

noun

1. heraldry an ordinary consisting of a diagonal cross on a shield

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Etymology

Origin of saltire

1350–1400; Middle English sawtire < Middle French sautoir crossed jumping bar < Medieval Latin saltātōrium something pertaining to jumping; see saltant, -tory ²

Example Sentences

An illustration featuring trees will replace a lion rampant holding a saltire flag.

From BBC • Dec. 8, 2025

With his shoulders wrapped in the red, white and blue of the union flag, he spoke of the saltire.

From BBC • Oct. 8, 2025

Instead, as she did at the 2019 Women’s World Cup, she’d represent the saltire of Scotland — a nation with its own legal system and church.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 24, 2021

At Mississippi State University, students protested the flying of the Mississippi state flag, which includes the Confederate battle flag saltire.

From Slate • Aug. 24, 2016

Two swords in saltire, a border engrailed—St. Paul.

From The Cathedral Church of York Bell's Cathedrals: A Description of Its Fabric and A Brief History of the Archi-Episcopal See by Clutton-Brock, A. (Arthur)