guardant

1 of 2

adjective

guar·​dant ˈgär-dᵊnt 

: having the head turned toward the spectator

—used of a heraldic animal whose body is seen from the side

a lion passant guardant

guardant

2 of 2

noun

obsolete

: guardian

Examples of guardant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There are the three heraldic lions passant guardant—striding, with heads turned toward the viewer—that have been included on the royal arms of England since the late twelfth century. —Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle French gardant, present participle of garder to guard, look at

First Known Use

Adjective

1572, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1591, in the meaning defined above