pursuivant
English
Etymology
From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle English, from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Old French pursuivant, present participle of pursuivre (‘to follow’).
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈpɜː.sɪ.vənt/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈpɜɹ.sɪ.vənt/, /ˈpɜr.swɪ.vənt/
Noun
pursuivant (plural pursuivants)
- (archaic) A follower
- (heraldry) A herald of the College of Arms
- A functionary of lower rank than a herald, but discharging similar duties; called also pursuivant at arms; an attendant of the heralds.
- Longfellow
- The herald Hope, forerunning Fear, / And Fear, the pursuivant of Hope.
- Longfellow
- (Freemasonry) A Grand Lodge Officer who guards the inner door during a meeting of the Grand Lodge
- A royal messenger, (particularly) one with the authority to execute warrants.
- Macaulay
- One pursuivant who attempted to execute a warrant there was murdered.
- Macaulay
- (law enforcement, by extension) A warrant officer.