brochant

overlying

adjective broh-SHAHN Rare

Also means

surmounting

Usage Note

Brochant is a rare, mostly heraldic and technical term meaning 'overlying' or 'crossing over' — used in coat-of-arms descriptions to indicate a charge placed over another. The phrase brochant sur le tout means 'overlying everything' in heraldry. It is unlikely to appear outside specialised or literary contexts.

Examples

"L'épée brochante couvre tout l'écu."

Natural Translation

The overlying sword covers the entire shield.

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