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

The spread of saltire flags in Scotland comes after similar scenes in England, where union jacks and St George's flags were hung on lampposts and painted on traffic islands.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2025

The Scottish government has stopped using an inverted saltire on its Covid briefing backdrop because it is similar to the Russian naval flag.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2022

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

The flag of the Russian navy is the blue saltire of St Andrew on a white ground.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 4 "Finland" to "Fleury, Andre" by Various