[Vocabulary] coat of arms

[hhtt21]

I would like to ask about the concept and also word "coat of arms".


A coat of arms is a heraldic visual design on an escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard. The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central element of the full heraldic achievement which in its whole consists of shield, supporters, crest, and motto. A coat of arms is traditionally unique to an individual person, family, state, organization or corporation.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms

What are the other names for it? Are "arms", "blazon", "blazonry" synonyms of "coat of arms" its synonyms?

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/coat

 

[Skrej]

You're asking about terms few people even use, and even less have knowledge about in this day and age. Any passing familiarity with them will probably be from movies and TV, so don't expect a lot of accuracy.

Only some kind of herald or historian would likely know the distinctions, or perhaps someone who's really, really into some sort of LARP or similar reenactment. Perhaps a member of the peerage might be somewhat familiar with them since they'd have their own.

I can't tell you anything beyond what a dictionary can. They seem to suggest that blazon/blazonry refers more to the depiction or display of heraldry, rather than the designs themselves.