king-of-arms

[ king-uhv-ahrmz ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural kings-of-arms.

a title of certain of the principal heralds of England and certain other kingdoms empowered by their sovereigns to grant armorial bearings.

king-of-arms

the highest rank of heraldic officer, itself divided into the ranks of Garter, Clarenceaux, and Norroy and Ulster. In Scotland the first is Lyon
a person holding this rank

First recorded in 1400–50, king-of-arms is from late Middle English king of armes. See king, arm ²

There the Norroy King-of-Arms exhorted him to spare blood and yield himself a prisoner.

Lyon is also king-of-arms for the national order of the Thistle.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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