saltire
9.9
A cross in the shape of an X used on flags and shields
- noun
- /ˈsæltaɪər/
- Specialized
:
aspa
- In heraldry, a saltire can be used to symbolize the strength and bravery of a family.
Examples
-
The Confederate flag waved bravely over the Capitol, red canton with blue saltire.
Fiction book (1992) -
The Scottish flag, known as the saltire, features a distinctive white cross on a blue background.
-
During the festival, many people proudly wore the saltire painted on their faces.
Synonyms
9.9
An X-shaped cross used as a design on shields or flags
is the standard heraldic X cross without emphasizing alternative names
St. Andrew's cross
vssaltire
7.4
An X-shaped design made by two equal diagonal bars used as a flag or sign
is the heraldic X cross but without the saintly or traditional association
Surface Forms
Etymology
Saltire comes from old French and the Latin word saltare, which means 'to jump', and the same jumping root is in the English word somersault. Think of two diagonal lines crossing like legs in a leap — that X-shape is why a saltire is the X-shaped cross you see on flags like Scotland's.
