armiger

[ ahr-mi-jer ]

noun

1. a person entitled to armorial bearings.
2. an armorbearer to a knight; a squire.

armiger

/ ˈɑːmɪdʒə; ɑːˈmɪdʒərəs /

noun

1. a person entitled to bear heraldic arms, such as a sovereign or nobleman
2. a squire carrying the armour of a medieval knight

Derived Forms

• armigerous, adjective

Other Words From

• ar·mig·er·al [ahr-, mij, -er-, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of armiger¹

1755–65; < Medieval Latin: squire, Latin: armorbearer (noun), armorbearing (adj.), equivalent to armi- (combining form of arma arm ² ) + -ger bearing, base of gerere to carry, wear

Word History and Origins

Origin of armiger¹

C16: from Medieval Latin: squire, from Latin: armour-bearer, from arma arms + gerere to carry, bear

Example Sentences

Then he found his answer, and this time it was John Stirling, armiger, scholar in divinity, who spoke.

From Project Gutenberg

Those of the old magnates who did not become knights were known as armigers, or armor-clad foot-soldiers.

From Project Gutenberg

Everybody calls himself a gentleman nowadays; even Mr. Chalker, who is going to sell me up, I suppose; but everybody, if you please, is not armiger.

From Project Gutenberg

The armiger, no longer toiling after his knight with heavy helmet and shield, bore his own arms, as he drove along, proudly and pleasantly upon his carriage door.

From Project Gutenberg

On his burly sword-arm, each intrepid champion wore an "armiger," or ribbon of his colour.

From Project Gutenberg