heraldry

From Old French hiraudie, from *heriwald, from *hariwald, from *hari + *wald. See Proto-Germanic *Harjawaldaz.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈhɛɹ.əl.dɹi/

heraldry (countable and uncountable, plural heraldries)

1. (uncountable) The profession or art of devising, granting and blazoning coats of arms, tracing genealogies and ruling on questions of protocol or rank.

   Rouge Dragon Pursuivant is a specialist in heraldry at the College of Arms.

2. (countable) An armorial ensign along with its history and description.
3. (uncountable) Pageantry.

   Onlookers were impressed by the rich and colorful heraldry.

• herald
• heraldic
• heraldric