pursuivant

English

Alternative forms

• poursuivant (archaic)

Etymology

From Middle English pursevant et al., from Old French pursuivant, present participle of pursuivre (“to follow”). Doublet of pursuant.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈpɜː.sɪ.vənt/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈpɜɹ.sɪ.vənt/, /ˈpɜr.swɪ.vənt/

  Audio (US):

  (file)

Noun

pursuivant (plural pursuivants)

1. (archaic) A follower
2. (heraldry) A functionary of lower rank than a herald, but discharging similar duties; called also pursuivant at arms; an attendant of the heralds, e.g. in the College of Arms.
   • 1845, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, To A Child:

     The herald Hope, forerunning Fear, / And Fear, the pursuivant of Hope.

3. (Freemasonry) A Grand Lodge Officer who guards the inner door during a meeting of the Grand Lodge
4. A royal messenger, (particularly) one with the authority to execute warrants.
   • 1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter 12, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volumes (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC:

     One pursuivant […] who attempted to execute a warrant there was murdered.

5. (law enforcement, by extension) A warrant officer.