saltire

[ sal-teer, -tahyuhr, sawl- ]

/ ˈsæl tɪər, -taɪər, ˈsɔl- /

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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.

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Idioms about 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, salt junk, salt lake, Salt Lake City

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use saltire in a sentence

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 end of this desk displays a shield charged with two keys in saltire, for the see of York.
Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Ripon|Cecil Walter Charles Hallett
First Master of the Household: Under his arms two batons in saltire.
A Complete Guide to Heraldry|Arthur Charles Fox-Davies

The Precentor: Argent, on a saltire azure a fleur-de-lis or.
A Complete Guide to Heraldry|Arthur Charles Fox-Davies
The Treasurer: Gules, a saltire between four leopards' heads or.
A Complete Guide to Heraldry|Arthur Charles Fox-Davies
Neither at that moment would Lord Saltire have heard her if she had.
Ravenshoe|Henry Kingsley

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