blazon

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. v. Heraldry To describe (a coat of arms) in proper terms.
2. v. Heraldry To paint or depict (a coat of arms) with accurate detail.
3. v. To adorn or embellish with or as if with a coat of arms: "the stars and moons and suns blazoned on that sacred wall” ( G.K. Chesterton).
4. v. To proclaim widely.
5. n. Heraldry A coat of arms.
6. n. Heraldry The description or representation of a coat of arms.
7. n. An ostentatious display.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. In heraldry, a shield with arms on it; armorial bearings; a coat of arms; a banner bearing arms.
2. n. A description in technical language of armorial bearings. Peculiar and fantastic changes introduced by certain heralds are chiefly in the blazon, and not in the graphic representation: thus, when the arms of nobles are described by precious stones (sapphire instead of azure, topaz instead of or, and the like), or when the arms of sovereigns are described by the planets, the description only is peculiar, the drawing and coloring of the achievement being of the same character as those of ordinary bearings.
3. n. Interpretation; explanation.
4. n. Publication; show; celebration; pompous display, either by words or by other means.
5. To explain in proper heraldic terms (the arms or bearings on a shield).
6. To depict (armorial bearings) according to the rules of heraldry.
7. To inscribe with arms, or some ornament; adorn with blazonry.
8. To deck; embellish; adorn as with blazonry.
9. To display; exhibit conspicuously; make known; publish.
10. To proclaim or publish boastingly; boast of.

Wiktionary

1. n. heraldry A verbal or written description of a coat of arms.
2. n. heraldry A formalized language for describing a coat of arms.
3. n. heraldry : A coat of arms or a banner depicting a coat of arms.
4. v. transitive To describe a coat of arms.
5. v. To make widely or generally known, to proclaim.
6. v. To display conspicuously or publicly.
7. v. To shine; to be conspicuous.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. obsolete A shield.
2. n. An heraldic shield; a coat of arms, or a bearing on a coat of arms; armorial bearings.
3. n. The art or act of describing or depicting heraldic bearings in the proper language or manner.
4. n. Ostentatious display, either by words or other means; publication; show; description; record.
5. v. To depict in colors; to display; to exhibit conspicuously; to publish or make public far and wide.
6. v. To deck; to embellish; to adorn.
7. v. (Her.) To describe in proper terms (the figures of heraldic devices); also, to delineate (armorial bearings); to emblazon.
8. v. rare To shine; to be conspicuous.

WordNet 3.0

1. v. decorate with heraldic arms
2. n. the official symbols of a family, state, etc.