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Glite Dictionary
armorial bearing

armorial bearing

9.9
A design on a shield that identifies a family or organization
  • noun
  • /ˈɑrmərɪəl ˈbɛrɪŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : escudo heráldico
  • Many families in Europe still possess their original armorial bearing from centuries ago.

Examples

  • The knight's armorial bearing was displayed proudly on his shield during the ceremony.

  • The armorial bearing is stunning.

  • Each armorial bearing is unique, designed to represent the history and values of its owner.

  • What does your armorial bearing represent?

  • The coat of arms displayed at the entrance featured intricate armorial bearings representing the family's history.

  • Every knight had a unique armorial bearing that distinguished him in battle during the medieval period.

  • The museum has a collection of ancient armorial bearings that showcase the artistry of heraldic design.

Synonyms

device
vsarmorial bearing
  • Specialized
9 8.2

A design used to show who a person, family or group is

is specifically the shield design used in heraldry
charge
vsarmorial bearing
  • Jargon
6 9.3

A symbol on a shield or banner

is the broader identifying design rather than a single figure
blazon
vsarmorial bearing
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A special symbol like a family shield that shows who the group is

is the physical shield design rather than its formal description
bearing
vsarmorial bearing
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A picture or symbol shown on a shield to represent a family

is the identifying symbol for a person, family, or organization on a shield
heraldic bearing
vsarmorial bearing
  • Specialized
9.9

A picture or symbol on a shield that shows who a family is

is used to identify people, families, or organizations via that shield design

Surface Forms

armorial bearing singular
armorial bearings plural

Morphology

armorial + bearing

The phrase is directly compositional: the adjective 'armorial' (relating to heraldic symbols) simply specifies the type of 'bearing' (a design on a shield), so the combined meaning is a heraldic design. Given knowledge of both constituent meanings, a B1 learner can derive the MWE's meaning because it follows a standard adjective + noun composition common across languages.

Etymology

Armorial bearing may come from old times when knights and families put a special picture (their armorial 'arms') on a shield and literally 'carried' it, so the bearing was the picture that showed who they were, and today the phrase means the design or symbol that identifies a person, family, or group.