[coat of arms] [ME cote of armes, trans. of MF cote d'armes] (14c) 1: a tabard or surcoat embroidered with armorial bearings
2. a: the particular heraldic bearings (as of a person) usu. depicted on an escutcheon often with accompanying adjuncts (as a crest, motto, and supporters) b: a similar symbolic emblem