The Collaborative International Dictionary
Pursuivant \Pur"sui*vant\, n. [F. poursuivant, fr. poursuivre. See Pursue, and cf. Pursuant.] [Written also poursuivant.]
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(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.
Wiktionary
n. (alternative form of pursuivant English)
Usage examples of "poursuivant".
The van of the procession appears headed by John Howard Parnell, city marshal, in a chessboard tabard, the Athlone Poursuivant and Ulster King of Arms.
Through the negligence, real or assumed, of the housekeeper, the poursuivants and constables had already entered with drawn swords.
Gerard had had to exist for four days on two biscuits and a pot of quince jelly which his hostess, Mrs Wiseman, happened to have in her hand as the poursuivants burst in and he was bundled away.