jessant

[ jes-uhnt ]

adjective

, Heraldry.

1. shooting up, as a plant.
2. coming forth; issuant.

Word History and Origins

Origin of jessant¹

1600–10; perhaps alteration of obsolete issant issuant, by association with obsolete jessant (of a charge) lying on top of another charge < Middle French gesant (present participle of gesir ≪ Latin jacēre to lie), equivalent to ges- lie + -ant -ant

Example Sentences

Jessant de lys.—A combination of a leopard’s face and a fleur-de-lys: No. 267.

From Project Gutenberg

This is how it came to pass that Clement Chardin des Lupeaulx, whose father was ennobled under Louis XV., and who beareth quarterly, first, argent, a wolf ravisant carrying a lamb gules; second, purpure, three mascles argent, two and one; third, paly of twelve, gules and argent; fourth, or, on a pale endorsed, three batons fleurdelises gules; supported by four griffon's-claws jessant from the sides of the escutcheon, with the motto "En Lupus in Historia," was able to surmount these rather satirical arms with a count's coronet.

From Project Gutenberg