Millrind - A bearing supposed to represent the iron which holds a millstone by being set into its center.
Millrynd - [See MILLRIND.]
Miter - The headdress of a bishop, sometimes used as a charge, either singly or in numbers.
Mitry - (mi'try) Charged with eight miters. (Said of a bordure.)
Modulata - [See BOTTONY.]
Moline - [See Cross Moline, under CROSS.]
Moon - The moon in heraldry is always borne as a crescent, usually with the cavity upward. When the cavity is toward the dexter side of the shield, it is increscent; when toward the sinister, decrescent.
Mooted - Torn up by the roots; eradicated.
Morion - A steel cap; a kind of helmet, shaped something like a hat, and having no beaver or visor.
Morne - (mor'nay) Without teeth, tongue or claws.
Motto - A word or sentence carried on the scroll, and supposed to have some connection with the name of the bearer, the deeds of his ancestors or as setting forth some guiding principle or idea. Mottos, like arms, were sometimes punning, as Carendo tutus the motto of the Cavendishes; Ver non semper viret, of the Vernons. The Scotch borderers, whose chief delight in life seemed to be that of harrying their neighbors by moonlight, used stars and crescents for their arms and adopted such mottos as Watch weel (Halyborton) and Reparabit cornua Phoebe (Scott of Harden).
The motto is the succesor of the war-cry, which was common in the days when each chief tennant and baron under the crown brought into the field and led his own tennants and retainers. The royal cry of the English was "St. George for England;" the common Highland cry was "Claymore," while Seyton had "St. Bennett and Set on."
Mound - A ball or globe forming part of the regalia of a king or emperor. It is surmounted by a cross and represents sovereign authority.
Mount - The representation of a mound or hill, covered with grass, occupying the base of the shield. It is generally borne with a tree or trees on it. When depicted green it is blazoned as a mount vert.
Mount-Greced - A mount cut in the form of steps.
Mount-Mounted - A mount with a hill upon it.
Mounted - 1. Applied to a horse when depicted bearing a rider. 2. When a cross or similar bearing is placed upon steps, as a cross mounted upon greces, or degrees.
Mullet - A bearing resembling a five-pointed star. It is sometimes called a spur rowel, but it was in use long before the rowelled spur. When used as a difference it denotes the third son.
Muraille - (mu-rail'-ley) Walled; masoned and embattled.
Murrey - (mur'-ry) The same as SANGUINE.
Muschetor - (mus'-che-tor) One of the arrow-headed marks used in depicting ermine, but without the three round dots employed in blazing that fur.
Musca - (mus'-ka) The common housefly. In some coats, however, this becomes a butterfly.
Musion - A cat.
Muzzled - Having a muzzle. Said of an animal, such as a bear, borne with a muzzle.
Find another term:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L
Macle to Metal
Millrind to Muzzled
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y
Pimbley's Dictionary of Heraldry is in the public domain.
Please see the main page of
this resource for more information.
