blazon

American  

[bley-zuhn] / ˈbleɪ zən /

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, especially brilliantly or showily.

3. to describe in heraldic terminology.

4. to depict (heraldic arms or the like) in proper form and color.

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noun

1. an escutcheon; coat of arms.

2. the heraldic description of armorial bearings.

3. conspicuous display.

blazon British  

/ ˈbleɪzən /

verb

1. (often foll by abroad) to proclaim loudly and publicly

2. heraldry to describe (heraldic arms) in proper terms

3. to draw and colour (heraldic arms) conventionally

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noun

1. heraldry a conventional description or depiction of heraldic arms

2. any description or recording, esp of good qualities

Other Word Forms

• blazoner noun
• blazonment noun
• unblazoned adjective

Etymology

Origin of blazon

1275–1325; Middle English blaso ( u ) n < Anglo-French, Old French blason buckler, of obscure origin

Example Sentences

His blazon of light can never - and will never - be diminished, quelled or subdued.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2019

Henry’s blazon is even more traditional than his wife’s; here’s just the part dealing with the escutcheon:

From Slate • May 26, 2018

But every generation agrees that a blazon is worth a thousand pictures, so here’s Markle, blazoning it West-Coast-style:

From Slate • May 26, 2018

The word becomes a blazon for the early Enlightenment.

From The New Yorker • Oct. 6, 2014

“You must have a new shield made for you, so that you can go on with your tournaments without being recognized. What sort of blazon will you have?”

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White