Emblazoned

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Marked or decorated very clearly with a striking design, emblem, or inscription to make it stand out
2. Adorned boldly with symbols, patterns, or text so that the decoration catches attention immediately
3. Covered openly and prominently with an emblem, engraving, or prominent markings that highlight identity or message

Etymology: "Emblazoned" is a past participle, the form of "emblazon" used when something has already been decorated with a design. The verb is built from "en-", a prefix meaning "put into" or "cover with," and "blazon," which in English first meant a coat of arms described in heraldic terms and later a shield bearing such arms. Put together, "emblazon" originally meant to display a heraldic device on a shield or banner. The "blazon" part traces back to Old French "blason," meaning "shield." Heralds used the word for the verbal description of arms, so a shield described in words was a blazon, and the same term came to name the painted design itself. Over time the idea loosened from shields to any bold, conspicuous display, which is why a flag or a page can now be described as emblazoned with a motto or a crest.

Synonyms: decorated, adorned, inscribed, illustrated, ornamented

Antonyms: obliterated, erased, blank, unmarked, hidden