coat armour: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareFormal / Technical (Heraldry)
Quick answer
What does “coat armour” mean?
The heraldic design borne on a shield, surcoat, or tabard, representing a person, family, or institution.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The heraldic design borne on a shield, surcoat, or tabard, representing a person, family, or institution.
A term used in heraldry to denote the entire visual design that comprises a coat of arms, including the shield, crest, supporters, motto, and other elements, serving as a unique identifying emblem.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is primarily British, relating to its historical and aristocratic traditions. In American English, 'coat of arms' is the vastly more common term, though 'coat armour' may appear in specialized historical or heraldic texts.
Connotations
In the UK, it carries connotations of lineage, aristocracy, and ancient institutions. In the US, it is an archaic technical term with little modern usage outside historical reenactment or academic study.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, but marginally more likely to be encountered in historical British texts. 'Coat of arms' is the standard term in all contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “coat armour” in a Sentence
The family bears [coat armour].He was granted [coat armour] by the king.The [coat armour] was blazoned azure and argent.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coat armour” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The College of Arms will coat armour the new baronet.
- His ancestor was coated armoured for service at Agincourt.
American English
- (Not used as a verb in modern American English.)
adjective
British English
- The coat-armour design was meticulously documented.
- He studied coat-armour traditions.
American English
- (Typically hyphenated when used adjectivally: 'coat-armour display'.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused. May appear in the branding or naming of very traditional firms (e.g., 'Armorial Stationery Co.').
Academic
Used in historical, genealogical, or art history texts discussing medieval or early modern heraldic practices.
Everyday
Not used. The common term is 'coat of arms'.
Technical
The specific term in heraldic blazonry and historical description for the complete heraldic design.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coat armour”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “coat armour”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coat armour”
- Using it in modern contexts.
- Confusing it with 'coat of arms' in terms of grammatical structure (e.g., 'coats armour').
- Mispronouncing 'armour' in the compound (it is not 'armor-y').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in essence they refer to the same thing: a heraldic design. 'Coat armour' is an older, more technical term, while 'coat of arms' is the modern, standard term.
No, it would sound archaic and overly technical. You should use 'coat of arms' in all general contexts.
It refers to the 'surcoat', a cloth tunic worn over a knight's metal armour in the Middle Ages, upon which his heraldic device was displayed for identification.
It is historically British, stemming from the UK's heraldic tradition. It is virtually unused in contemporary American English, where 'coat of arms' is universal.
The heraldic design borne on a shield, surcoat, or tabard, representing a person, family, or institution.
Coat armour is usually formal / technical (heraldry) in register.
Coat armour: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkəʊt ˌɑː.mə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkoʊt ˌɑːr.mɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Turn your coat (betrayal - related to heraldic display on a coat)”
- “Coat of many colours (biblical, signifying favour)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a knight's COAT worn over his ARMOUR; the design on that coat is his COAT ARMOUR.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDENTITY IS A VISUAL EMBLEM; LINEAGE IS A HEREDITARY MARK.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'coat armour' MOST appropriately used?