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saltire Definition

sal·tire (saltir)

noun

Heraldry a bearing like a Saint Andrew's cross, formed by a bend and a bend sinister crossing

Etymology: ME sawtire < MFr sautoir, stirrup loop < ML saltatorium, stirrup < L saltatorius: see saltatory

saltire Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • engrail: His wife wears a mantle ornamented with the Verney arms and an engrailed saltire.
  • fly: From that day to this, it has enjoyed the distinction of being the only village in Scotland to fly the Saltire continuously.
  • have: This name fits well with Caledonian as a Scots word and we already have an ermine Saltire on our University crest.
  • interlace: BADGE: Two Hammers in saltire interlaced with a Horseshoe Or.

Adjective modifier

  • red: This flag was used until the union with Ireland in 1801, when a red saltire was added to represent Ireland.
  • white: The white saltire is derived from the arms of the de Vere family, the heirs to the original Earls of Essex.
  • Scottish: It was not simply superimposed onto the Scottish saltire, tho.
  • blue: Russians, too, claim St Andrew as their patron and bear a blue saltire on a white or silver field.

Modifies a noun

  • cross: The second shows St Andrew's saltire cross, the papal symbol of St Peter as well as his keys, and several others.
  • point: CREST: On a Wreath of the Colors a Garb Or transfixed with a Seax and a Sword in saltire points upwards both proper.
  • gules: CREST: On a Wreath of the Colors two Swords in saltire Gules ensigned by an Escallop Or.
  • argent: The arms of the Scottish nation are Azure a saltire Argent.
  • gold: Blue; a stirrup white interlaced by two hunting horns in saltire gold.

Browse dictionary entries near saltire

  1. salting
  2. saltiness
  3. saltine
  4. saltimbocca
  5. saltily
  6. Saltillo
  7. saltern
  8. salter
  9. saltcellar
  10. saltbush
  1. saltish
  2. Salton Sea
  3. saltpeter
  4. saltshaker
  5. saltwater
  6. saltworks
  7. saltwort
  8. salty
  9. salubrious
  10. salud