armorist

[ ahr-mer-ist ]

noun

1. a person who is an expert at heraldry.

Word History and Origins

Origin of armorist¹

First recorded in 1580–90; armor + -ist

Example Sentences

A copy made about 1600 of another roll gives the same decoration to the Norwich lion, and it is at least possible we have here evidence that the economy of the medieval armorist allowed him to make at small cost his lion, his leopard and his tiger out of a single beast form.

From Project Gutenberg

What might be the true form of this beast was a dark thing to the old armorist, yet knowing from the report of grave travellers that the leopard was begotten in spouse-breach between the lion and the pard, it was felt that his shape would favour his sire’s.

From Project Gutenberg

Then a happy device came to the armorist.

From Project Gutenberg

The modern armorist will shame the uninstructed warrior with “Gules three lions passant gardant in pale or.”

From Project Gutenberg

Also the heads of lion and leopard are in many shields, and here the armorist of the modern handbooks stumbles by reason of his refusal to regard clearly marked medieval distinctions.

From Project Gutenberg