Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
The armorial engraving is the insignia of The Worshipful Company of Masons, one of the ancient livery companies of London.—oregonlive,
3 Mar. 2021 The action unfurls in a quaint medieval town square garlanded with flowers and armorial pennants, (modified for the Gala), where Harlequin woos Columbine, and in a Beaux Arts ballroom conservatory where the action continues in the second act.—
Hamish Bowles,
Vogue,
24 May 2018
Word History
Etymology
armory "heraldry, heraldic arms" (borrowed from Anglo-French & continental Middle French armoierie, from Middle French armoier "to bear arms, emblazon" + -erie-ery) + -al entry 1; armoier from armes "arms, weapons, heraldic devices" (plural of arme, going back to Latin arma "implements of war, weapons") + -oier, factitive verb suffix, going back to Latin -idiāre, originally representing variant pronunciation (or spelling variant) of -izāre-ize — more at arm entry 3