Heraldry Terminology

noun a term used in heraldry to describe a charge on a coat of arms that is positioned obliquely and signifies illegitimacy or dishonor

• The family crest displayed a bar sinister, indicating a stain on their lineage.
• I heard that old man's family has a bar sinister in their history.
• That family has a shady past with a bar sinister on their coat of arms.
• The scandal left a figurative bar sinister on their reputation.

noun a small or relatively simple crown, especially as worn by lesser royalty and peers or peeresses

• The queen wore a beautiful diamond-encrusted coronet to the royal ball.
• She looked like a princess with that sparkly coronet on her head.
• Check out that blingy coronet the rapper is wearing on stage!
• The CEO wore his success like a golden coronet, commanding respect from all his employees.

noun an official messenger bringing news

verb to announce or signal the arrival of something

• The herald announced the arrival of the king to the court.
• The herald let everyone know that the party was starting.
• The herald spilled the tea about what really happened at the party.
• The changing leaves heralded the arrival of autumn.

adjective relating to heraldry or heraldic symbols

• The heraldic symbols on the shield represented the noble family's lineage.
• She was fascinated by the intricate heraldic designs on the castle walls.
• Check out the cool heraldic crest on that jacket!
• The opening of the new museum heralded a new era of cultural appreciation in the city.