Family insignia

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on an escutcheon (i.e. shield ), surcoat , or tabard . The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central element of the full heraldic achievement which consists of shield, supporters , crest , and motto . The ...

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Word definitions in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
noun EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS ▪ He was born in Kent, to a Durham family which possessed its own coat of arms . ▪ Note the coat of arms over the door and the fine plasterwork - with the date 1659 - over the fireplace. ▪ The fleurs-de-lys of the Cantilupe coat ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. the official symbols of a family, state, etc. [syn: arms , blazon , blazonry ]

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Coat \Coat\ (k[=o]t; 110), n. [OF. cote, F. cotte, petticoat, cotte d'armes coat of arms, cotte de mailles coat of mail, LL. cota, cotta, tunic, prob. of German origin; cf. OHG. chozzo coarse mantle, G. klotze, D. kot, hut, E. cot. Cf. Cot a hut.] ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
mid-14c., originally a tunic embroidered with heraldic arms (worn over armor, etc); see from coat (n.) + arm (n.2) and compare Old French cote a armer . Sense transferred to the heraldic arms themselves by 1560s. Hence turncoat , one who put his coat on ...

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. (context heraldry English) hereditary designs and symbols depicted on an escutcheon, sometimes accompanied by other elements of a heraldic achievement, such as a helm, crest, crest coronet, torse, mantling and supporters; described by a blazon