The Collaborative International Dictionary
Pursuivant \Pur"sui*vant\, n. [F. poursuivant, fr. poursuivre. See Pursue, and cf. Pursuant.] [Written also poursuivant.]
-
(Heralds' College) A functionary of lower rank than a herald, but discharging similar duties; -- called also pursuivant at arms; an attendant of the heralds. Also used figuratively.
The herald Hope, forerunning Fear, And Fear, the pursuivant of Hope.
--Longfellow. -
The king's messenger; a state messenger.
One pursuivant who attempted to execute a warrant there was murdered.
--Macaulay.
Pursuivant \Pur"sui*vant\, v. t. To pursue. [Obs. & R.]
Their navy was pursuivanted after with a horrible
tempest.
--Fuller.
Wiktionary
n. 1 (context archaic English) follower 2 (context heraldry English) A herald of the (w: College of Arms) 3 A functionary of lower rank than a herald, but discharging similar duties; called also pursuivant at arms; an attendant of the heralds. 4 (context freemasonry English) A Grand Lodge Officer who guards the inner door during a meeting of the Grand Lodge 5 The king's messenger; a state messenger.
Wikipedia
A pursuivant or, more correctly, pursuivant of arms, is a junior officer of arms. Most pursuivants are attached to official heraldic authorities, such as the College of Arms in London or the Court of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh. In the mediaeval era, many great nobles employed their own officers of arms. Today, there still exist some private pursuivants that are not employed by a government authority. In Scotland, for example, several pursuivants of arms have been appointed by Clan Chiefs. These pursuivants of arms look after matters of heraldic and genealogical importance for clan members.
Some Masonic Grand Lodges have an office known as the Grand Pursuivant. It is the Grand Pursuivant's duty to announce all applicants for admission into the Grand Lodge by their names and Masonic titles; to take charge of the jewels and regalia of the Grand Lodge; to attend all meetings of the Grand Lodge, and to perform such other duties as may be required by the Grand Master or presiding officer. The office is also at the local Masonic lodge level in the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. In that jurisdiction it is the Pursuivant's duty to guard the door of the lodge, and announce and escort applicants for admission into the lodge. The office is generally unknown at the local level in Masonic jurisdictions outside Pennsylvania, where the equivalent role is named the Inner Guard.
Usage examples of "pursuivant".
The way we had all learned to think about Talents made it easier to accept her as being a combination Pursuivant and Afrit than simply as having seven separate Talents.
Most of those over twenty had already been named: Sentinel, Herald, Dragon, Tragamor, Pursuivant, Elator.
There was an Invigilator among them who, while not quite as thorough in pursuit as a Pursuivant might be, was nonetheless to be reckoned with.
There she searched, found the tracks which the Pursuivant said must be there, saw the direction they went, looked there for a landmark and returned.
It took them a day or two to send a Pursuivant to a place nearby, for though Pursuivants have the power of transporting themselves, as Elators do, it is not as potent a Talent.
Thus, my friends were not really surprised when the Pursuivant returned to say he could pick up thoughts which he believed were mine, but he could not be sure.
I have word brought by an Elator from Bannerwell who has it from a Pursuivant I have stationed there.
Beside the Pursuivant rode a Witch in tawdry finery, and next to her an Invigilator, lean in form-fitting leathers painted with cat stripes.
Both the Pursuivant and the Invigilator had Reading, though not at any great distance.
We were not within Reading distance by the Pursuivant and Invigilator yet, and I wanted the first encounter over before they tried to Read me and failed.
The rule was to take out the Pursuivant first, because he had the power to change place in an instant, and one might find him behind one with a knife before one could take a deep breath.
The Pursuivant went down, skewered, even as my pombi claws swept the Invigilator from his saddle.
I stripped the Pursuivant and put his clothes on, sorrowing for him as I did so.
I, Peter, played the part of the Pursuivant, trying to convey with every attitude the heartfelt regret I felt at having killed the young Gamesman, Peter, during some unspecified and unfortunate occurrence upon the road.
I changed aspect and clothing in our rooms and sneaked out the back way, having been able to think of no good excuse for a Pursuivant to visit Silkhands the Healer.