rousant
Definitions
from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- adjective In heraldry, starting up, as from being roused or alarmed: noting a bird in the attitude of rising, as if preparing to take flight. When applied to a swan it is understood that the wings are indorsed. Also spelled roussant.
Examples
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Rousant, a term for a bird rising as if preparing to take wing, but whose weight of body prevents it from rising into the air as swans, etc.
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Birds represented as about to take wing are blazoned rising, or roussant, when flying aloft, soaring, or volant; when the wings of a bird are close to its body it is said to be close.
Note
This word comes from ‘rouse,’ which comes from the Middle English ‘rousen,’ to shake the feathers: used of a hawk.
