Herald

her′ald, n. in ancient times, an officer who made public proclamations and arranged ceremonies: in medieval times, an officer who had charge of all the etiquette of chivalry, keeping a register of the genealogies and armorial bearings of the nobles: an officer whose duty is to read proclamations, to blazon the arms of the nobility, .: a proclaimer: a forerunner: the red-breasted merganser, usually Her′ald-duck .— v.t. to introduce, as by a herald: to proclaim.— adj. Heral′dic , of or relating to heralds or heraldry.— adv. Heral′dically .— ns. Her′aldry , the art or office of a herald: the science of recording genealogies and blazoning coats of arms; Her′aldship .— Heralds' College (see College ). [O. Fr. herault ; of Teut. origin, Old High Ger. hari (A.S. here , Ger. heer ), an army, and wald = walt , strength, sway.]