segreant, gules.

SEJANT. French word for sitting. See LION SEJANT.

SEME. A French word for strewed. A field powdered or strewed with any
object is said to be seme: thus a shield may be seme of fleur-de-lis,
seme of hearts, &c.

SINISTER. A term used in Heraldry to signify the left side of any
object. Thus a bend proceeding from the top of the left side of the
shield is called a bend sinister.

SLIPPED. Torn from the stock or branch.

[Illustration: Slipped]

Ex. Azure, three laurel leaves slipped, argent.

SOL. A planet, formerly used to denote or, in emblazoning royal arms.
It is the Latin name for the sun.

SOL, or THE SUN IN ITS SPLENDOUR. The sun is said to be in its
splendour when it is figured (that is, delineated with a human face)
and surrounded with rays. Sometimes this figure is called a sun in its
glory.

[Illustration: Sol, or The Sun in its Splendour]

Ex. Azure, a sun in its splendour.

STANDARD. A large square flag bearing the whole of the achievements of
the monarch or nobleman, as seen in the royal standard of England. The
royal standard, when placed before the pavilion of the monarch either
at a tournay or in an encampment, was eleven yards long and three
yards broad.

The length of the standard when borne in the field denoted the rank
of the leader: that of a duke was seven yards long; a peer of lower
degree raised a standard five yards in length; that of a knight
banneret was only four. In modern times standards of peers or knights
banneret are seldom displayed but in funeral processions. The standard
is then long and narrow, and pointed at the end; that of a duke is
about fifteen feet in length, peers of lower degree about twelve.

The flag borne as the ensign of a regiment of cavalry is called a
standard. The flags of foot soldiers are called colours.

STAR. This celestial figure is always represented as argent, and is
supposed to have six rays or points; if they have more points the
number must be named. See ETOILE.

STATANT. An animal standing still with all its legs on the ground. See
LION STATANT.

SUPPORTERS are figures standing on the scroll, placed on each side of
the shield as if to support it. Supporters in English Heraldry are
granted only to persons included in the rank of nobility or to knights
banneret by favour of the sovereign.

The origin of this addition to the external ornaments of the
escutcheon may be traced to the practice which originally prevailed
i