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Pimbley's Dictionary of Heraldry: S

Heraldic Terms from Sable to Shoveller

By Melissa Snell, About.com

Sable - The tincture black. In engraving it is represented by perpendicular and horizontal lines crossed.

St. Andrew's cross - A cross made in the form of the letter X. [See SALTIRE.]

St. Patrick - The title of one of the pursuivants of the Office of Arms, Ireland. There are three pursuivants bearing this title, designated as Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

Saliant - (sa'-li-ant) Leaping; springing. Applied to the lion or other beast represented in a leaping posture - his fore feet in dexter chief and his hind feet in sinister base.

Salient - [See SALIANT.]

Saltant - (sal'-tant) Springing forward; in a leaping position. Applied especially to the squirrel, weasel, rat; also applied to the cat, greyhound and monkey.

Saltier - [See SALTIRE.]

Saltire - (sal'-teer) One of the honorable ordinaries. It is made in the form of a St. Andrew's cross, or the letter X. Its breadth should be one-third of the field. The saltire is popular in Scottish heraldry.

Saltirewise - In the manner of a saltire; when the shield is divided by two lines drawn in the direction of a bend and a bend sinister and crossed at the center. Long-shaped charges, such as swords, oars, batons, etc., placed in the direction of the saltire are said to be borne saltirewise.

Salvage - Said of a man when borne nude. Thus, "Three salvage men ambulant."

Sanglier - (sang'-li-er) [French.] A wild boar.

Sanguine - (san'-gwin) A dark red color. It is represented in engraving by diagonal lines crossing each other.

Sapphire - The same as AZURE.

Saturn - Black; representing sable. In blazoning the arms of sovereign princes.

Scallop - The same as ESCALLOP.

Scarf - A small ecclesiastical banner hanging down from the top of a crosier.

Scarp - (skarp) A diminutive of the bend sinister, occupying the same position as that bearing, but being only half its breadth. It is supposed to represent an officer's shoulder belt or scarf.

Scrape - [See SCARP.]

Scroll - The ribbon-like appendage to a crest or escutcheon, on which the motto is inscribed.

Scutcheon - [See ESCUTCHEON.]

Sea Lion - A monster consisting of the upper part of a lion combined with the tail of a fish.

Seeded - Represented with seeds of a different tincture, such as the rose, lily, etc., when it is said to be seeded of that color.

Segreant - (se'-gre'-ant) Said of a griffon when depicted standing on its hind legs, with the wings elevated and addorsed.

Sejant - In a sitting posture. Applied to the lion, cat, etc.

Sejant Addorsed - Said of two animals sitting back to back.

Sejant Affronte - Full-faced, sitting with the forepaws extended sideways.

Sejant Rampant - [See rampant sejant.]

Sejeant - [See SEJANT.]

Seme - (sem'ay) A field or charge powdered or sprinkled with small charges, such as stars, crosses, etc. (Sometimes called powdered.)

Seruse - The same as TORTEAU.

Shack bolt - A fetter, such as might be put on the wrists or ankles of prisoners.

Shackle bolt - The same as SHACK BOLT.

Shake fork - A bearing somewhat resembling the pall in form, but the ends, which have points like the pile, do not touch the edges of the shield.

Sheldrake - A water fowl somewhat larger than the ordinary duck. It has been said that this bird was introduced into English heraldry to accommodate Sheldon, Lord Mayor of London in 1676. He bore "Sable, a fesse between three sheldrakes argent."

Shield - The escutcheon or field on which are placed the bearings or coats of arms. There are various forms, mostly taken from the shapes in vogue when shields were used in warfare. Maiden ladies and widows have no shield, but place their arms on a lozenge. [See LOZENGE and ESCUTCHEON.]

Shoveller - A river duck. It has a broad bill and beautifully variegated feathers.



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Sable to Shoveller
Sinister to Stopped
Subordinary to Sword

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