Abased - This term is used (1) when the wings, for instance, instead of being expanded, with their apices pointing upward, either look down toward the point of the shield, or else are shut; (2) when a chevron, fesse or another ordinary is borne lower than its usual situation.
Abasement - [See ABASED]
Abatelement - (Ab-a-te'-le-mang) - A mark of disgrace affixed to an escutcheon. [See ABATEMENT]
Abatement - Abatements are real or imaginary marks of disgrace affixed to an escutcheon on account of some flagrantly dishonorable action on the part of the bearer. There is scarcely an instance on record, however, of such marks of disgrace having been actually affixed to an escutcheon. (Some times called rebatements.)
Abyss - The center of an escutcheon. For example, to bear a fleur-de-lis in abyss is to have it placed in the middle of the shield free from any other bearing.
Abyssal - Pertaining to an abyss.
Accident - (Ac'-ci-dent) An additional mark on a coat of arms, which may be retained or eliminated without altering its essential character.
Accolade - (Ac'-co-lade) The ceremony by which in mediaeval times one was dubbed a knight. Antiquaries are not agreed on what this was. It has been made an embrace around the neck, a kiss or a slight blow upon the cheek or shoulder.
- "The new attorney-general having stooped down without
objection to the usual accolade." - Townsend's Lives of 12
Eminent Judges: Lord Eldon.
Accolle - (Ac-col'-le) Gorged or collared, as lions, dogs and other animals sometimes are in escutcheons. Wreathed, entwined or joined together, as two shields sometimes are by their sides. The arms of a husband and wife were often thus placed. (Gloss. of heraldry, 1847.) Used substantively: (1) An animal with a crown on its head or a collar around its neck; (2) two shields united to each other by their sides; (3) a key, baton, mace, sword or other implement or weapon placed saltirewise behind the shield. (Ibid.)
Accompanied - (Ac-com'-pan-ied) Between. For example, accompanied by four crescents, would mean between four crescents.
Accompaniment - (Ac-com'-pan-i-ment) Any additions made to a shield by way of ornament, as supporters, etc.
Accost - [See ACCOSTED]
Accosted - (Ac-cost'-ed) Applied to a charge supported on both sides by other charges. Example: A pale accosted by six mullets. This term is also applied to two animals proceeding side by side.
Accoutre - (Ak-ku'-ter) To dub a knight.
- "One was accoutred when the cry began, Knight of the
Silver Moon, Sir Marmadan, His vow was ( and he will perform his
vow), Armed at all points, with terror on his brow, To judge the
land, to purge atrocious crimes." Cowper: Anti-Thelyphtora.
Achievement - (A-chieve'-ment) A complete heraldic composition, showing a shield with its quarterings, impalements, supporters, crest, motto, etc. This term is applied especially to a funeral escutcheon, exhibiting the rank and family of a deceased nobleman or gentleman, which at his death is placed in front of his house or in some other prominent place. [This is commonly called HATCHMENT.]
Acorned - (A'korned) An oak with acorns on it. (Placed on an escutcheon.)
Addition - Something added to a coat of arms as a mark of honor, such as, for instance, a bordure, a quarter, a canton, a gyron or a pile. [Opposed to ABATEMENT.]
- "They clepe us drunkards, and with swinish phrase Soil
our addition; and indeed it takes From our achievements."
--Shakespeare: Hamlet, 1, 4.
Addorse - (Ad-dor'se) To place back to back.
Addorsed - (Ad-dor'st) Used as an adjective: Two animals on a coat of arms set or turned back to back. This term is occasionally used for other figures capable of being placed back to back.
Adosse - The French word sometimes used for ADDORSED.
Adoption - Arms of Adoption. [See under ARMS.]
Adoptive - Adoptive arms are those held by a person not by right of descent or in virtue of himself, but merely by the gift or consent of another.
Adorned - (Ad-orn'ed) Ornamented or furnished with a charge.
Adumbration - (Ad-um-bra'-tion) A figure on a coat of arms traced in outline only, or painted in a darker shade of the same color as the field on which it is represented. Families who had lost their estates, but not their armorial bearings, are said to have occasionally adopted this method of indicating their peculiar position. (Also called transparency.)
Find another term:
Abased to Adumbration
Affrontee to Aquilated
Arbalest to Arms of
Assumption
Arms of Attribution to Arms,
Allusive
Arms, Assumptive to Azure
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