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blazon - 6 dictionary results

bla⋅zon

  [bley-zuhn]
Use blazon in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to set forth conspicuously or publicly; display; proclaim: The pickets blazoned their grievances on placards.
2. to adorn or embellish, esp. brilliantly or showily.
3. to describe in heraldic terminology.
4. to depict (heraldic arms or the like) in proper form and color.
–noun
5. an escutcheon; coat of arms.
6. the heraldic description of armorial bearings.
7. conspicuous display.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME blaso(u)n < AF, OF blason buckler, of obscure orig.

Related forms:
bla⋅zon⋅er, noun
bla⋅zon⋅ment, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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bla·zon   (blā'zən)   
tr.v.   bla·zoned, bla·zon·ing, bla·zons
  1. Heraldry
    1. To describe (a coat of arms) in proper terms.
    2. To paint or depict (a coat of arms) with accurate detail.
  2. To adorn or embellish with or as if with a coat of arms: "the stars and moons and suns blazoned on that sacred wall" (G.K. Chesterton).
  3. To proclaim widely.
n.  
  1. Heraldry
    1. A coat of arms.
    2. The description or representation of a coat of arms.
  2. An ostentatious display.

[Probably from Middle English blasoun, shield, from Old French blason.]
bla'zon·er n., bla'zon·ment n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Blazon

Bla"zon\, n. [OE. blason, blasoun, shield, fr. F. blason coat of arms, OF. shield, from the root of AS. bl[ae]se blaze, i. e., luster, splendor, MHG. blas torch See Blaze, n.]

1. A shield. [Obs.]

2. An heraldic shield; a coat of arms, or a bearing on a coat of arms; armorial bearings.

Their blazon o'er his towers displayed. --Sir W. Scott.

3. The art or act of describing or depicting heraldic bearings in the proper language or manner. --Peacham.

4. Ostentatious display, either by words or other means; publication; show; description; record.

Obtrude the blazon of their exploits upon the company. --Collier.

Thy tongue, thy face, thy limbs, actions, and spirit, Do give thee fivefold blazon. --Shak.

Blazon

Bla"zon\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Blazoned; p. pr. & vb. n. Blazoning.] [From blazon, n.; confused with 4th blaze: cf. F. blasonner.]

1. To depict in colors; to display; to exhibit conspicuously; to publish or make public far and wide.

Thyself thou blazon'st. --Shak.

There pride sits blazoned on th' unmeaning brow. --Trumbull.

To blazon his own worthless name. --Cowper.

2. To deck; to embellish; to adorn.

She blazons in dread smiles her hideous form. --Garth.

3. (Her.) To describe in proper terms (the figures of heraldic devices); also, to delineate (armorial bearings); to emblazon.

The coat of, arms, which I am not herald enough to blazon into English. --Addison.

Blazon

Bla"zon\, v. i. To shine; to be conspicuous. [R.]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : blazon
Spanish: escudo, blasón,
German: das Wappen,
Japanese: 紋章
More Translations »

blazon 
1278, from O.Fr. blason "a shield, blazon," of uncertain origin.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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