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Glite Dictionary
passant

passant

1 9.9
An animal shown walking with its right front leg raised on a coat of arms
  • adjective
  • /ˈpæsənt/
  • Specialized
: pasante
  • In the family crest, the lion is shown passant, symbolizing courage in action.

Examples

  • A heraldic leopard passant appears on the shield, denoting vigilance and bravery.

  • The arms display three boars passant on a silver field.

  • The lion is depicted as passant on the coat of arms.

  • In heraldry, a passant figure often symbolizes strength.

  • The family crest features a fierce lion passant, representing nobility and bravery.

  • The coat of arms proudly displays a deer passant in a shaded forest, embodying grace and peace.

  • On the shield, a wolf is depicted passant, illustrating loyalty and endurance.

Idioms

en passant
1 9.9

To say something quickly as a side remark, not as the main point

Compounds

en passant
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A chess move where a pawn captures an opponent's pawn as if it had moved only one square

Surface Forms

passant positive

Etymology

Passant comes from an old French word like passer meaning 'to pass' or 'to walk', the same root you see in English pass. So in heraldry a passant animal is shown 'walking' with one front leg raised, giving the image of movement on a shield.