heraldry

noun, plural her·ald·ries.

1. the science of armorial bearings.
2. the art of blazoning armorial bearings, of settling the rights of persons to bear arms or to use certain bearings, of tracing and recording genealogies, of recording honors, and of deciding questions of precedence.
3. the office or duty of a herald.
4. a heraldic device, or a collection of such devices.
5. a coat of arms; armorial bearings.
6. heraldic symbolism.
7. heraldic pomp or ceremony: The coronation was marked by all the magnificence of heraldry.

noun plural -ries

1. the occupation or study concerned with the classification of armorial bearings, the allocation of rights to bear arms, the tracing of genealogies, etc
2. the duties and pursuit of a herald
3. armorial bearings, insignia, devices, etc
4. heraldic symbols or symbolism
5. the show and ceremony of heraldry