argent
argent — adjective
- argentpositive
- more argentcomparative
- most argentsuperlative
1. describing a silver or white area on a heraldic shield or coat of arms — used to
describing a silver or white area on a heraldic shield or coat of arms — used to identify the colour of emblems, animals, or shapes in a family crest.
The museum displayed a shield with two argent towers on a dark red background.
attributive use: argent + heraldic noun (towers)
Hannah noticed an argent star above the eagle on the family crest.
On the banner, three argent flowers sat above a wavy blue line.
The knight's coat of arms showed an argent lion rearing on its hind legs.
- sable
the heraldic term for black
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun in heraldic descriptions.
常見錯誤
2. having a shining silver or silvery-white appearance — found mainly in literary d
having a shining silver or silvery-white appearance — found mainly in literary descriptions of moonlight, frost, mist, or water.
Quan admired the argent moonlight that spread across the frozen lake.
attributive: argent + natural phenomenon (moonlight)
An argent frost covered every leaf in Asher's garden that cold December morning.
The old fisherman's beard had turned an argent shade in the winter wind.
A thin argent mist rose from the river as the sun came up.
用法筆記
Chiefly used in poetic or literary English. In everyday conversation, 'silver' or 'silvery' is preferred.
常見錯誤
argent — noun
1. the metal silver — used in older or poetic writing as a more elegant or archaic
the metal silver — used in older or poetic writing as a more elegant or archaic term for the shiny grey-white metallic element.
The ancient crown was made of bright argent and set with green emeralds.
uncountable use: made of + argent
For hundreds of years, miners searched the mountain caves for veins of pure argent.
In old stories, heroes carried swords made of shining argent into battle.
The treasure room held bars of argent stacked high beside chests of gold.
用法筆記
Rare in modern English. The ordinary word for the metal is 'silver'. 'Argent' in this sense is found almost exclusively in historical fiction, poetry, or very formal descriptive prose.
常見錯誤
2. the silver or white colour used as a tincture on coats of arms in heraldry — one
the silver or white colour used as a tincture on coats of arms in heraldry — one of the two 'metals' in heraldic design, often paired with gules (red) or azure (blue).
In heraldry, argent is the tincture used for white or silver areas on a shield.
definitional use: argent + tincture
The old kingdom's flag had gules on the left and argent on the right.
Christopher studied how argent appears in the coats of arms of many European families.
The document described the emblem as a blue field with three argent stars.
- sable
the heraldic tincture for black
用法筆記
In heraldic descriptions (blazons), argent is the second-most common tincture after gules (red). It is often paired with colours such as azure (blue), sable (black), or vert (green).