Definition of "blazon"

blazon

/ˈbleɪzən/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural blazons
1. (heraldry) A verbal or written description of a coat of arms.
  Quotations
  ...it should never be forgotten that the best blazon is that which is the most perspicuous
  1894, James Parker, A Glossary of Terms Used in Heraldry
2. (heraldry) A formalized language for describing a coat of arms.
  Quotations
  We must banish, therefore, the persistent but wholly erroneous notion that the heralds invented many of the terms used in blazon and borrowed the rest from the everyday lexicon of terms...
  1997, Gerard J. Brault, Early Blazon
3. (heraldry) A coat of arms or a banner depicting a coat of arms.
  Quotations
  He wears their motto on his blade, / Their blazon o'er his towers displayed; [...]
  1808 February 22, Walter Scott, “Canto Fifth. The Court.”, in Marmion; a Tale of Flodden Field, Edinburgh: […] J[ames] Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Company, […]; London: William Miller, and John Murray, stanza XV, page 264
4. Ostentatious display, verbal or otherwise; publication; description; record.
  Quotations
  Obtrude the blazon of their exploits upon the company.
  1709, Jeremy Collier, Essays upon several moral subjects
  Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions, and spirit, / Do give thee five-fold blazon.
  c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene v]
verb
third-person singular simple present blazons, present participle blazoning, simple past and past participle blazoned
1. (transitive) To describe a coat of arms.
  Quotations
  the following coat of arms, which I will send you in the original language, not being herald enough to blazon it in English
  10 July 1713, Joseph Addison, The Guardian, No. 104
  After Blazoning the Shield, you proceed to the exterior ornaments viz.: The Helmet, Lambrequin, Crest, Supporters, Badge, and Motto
  1889, Charles Norton Elvin, A Dictionary of Heraldry
2. To make widely or generally known, to proclaim.
  Quotations
  O thou goddess/ thou divine Nature, how thyself thou blazon'st/ in these two princely boys.
  1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act VI, scene iii]
  There pride sits blazoned on th' unmeaning brow.
  1774, John Trumbull, An Elegy on the Times
  In drawing pictures of forbidden joys, Retires to blazon his own worthless name
  18th century, William Cowper, Retirement
3. To display conspicuously or publicly.
4. To shine; to be conspicuous.
5. To deck; to embellish; to adorn.
  Quotations
  She blazons in dread smiles her hideous form.
  1699, Samuel Garth, The Dispensary

Definition of "blazon"

blazon

noun

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verb

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