adjective
Common
Barry
BA-ree
Barry (adjective) means In heraldry, describing a shield divided into an even number of horizontal bands of alternating colors. Example: “The coat of arms was barry of six, alternating gold and blue.”
adjective
1
In heraldry, describing a shield divided into an even number of horizontal bands of alternating colors.
"The coat of arms was barry of six, alternating gold and blue."
How to use Barry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA specialist heraldry term for a shield striped with horizontal bands.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Barrys, barries
- Comparative
- more barry
- Superlative
- most barry
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The coat of arms was _____ of six, alternating gold and blue.
Etymology
The heraldic term comes from French barre ("bar"); the common given name Barry is a separate word, anglicized from Irish Barra.
Rhymes for Barry
See all rhymes for Barry →Frequently asked questions
What does “Barry” mean?
The word “Barry” means in heraldry, describing a shield divided into an even number of horizontal bands of alternating colors. In plain terms, a specialist heraldry term for a shield striped with horizontal bands.
How do you pronounce “Barry”?
“Barry” is pronounced BA-ree (/ˈbæɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “Barry” in a sentence?
Here is “Barry” used in a sentence: “The coat of arms was barry of six, alternating gold and blue.”
What part of speech is “Barry”?
“Barry” is an adjective.
Where does the word “Barry” come from?
The word “Barry” comes from French. The heraldic term comes from French barre ("bar"); the common given name Barry is a separate word, anglicized from Irish Barra.
Is “Barry” a common word?
“Barry” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "barry" and "paly" in heraldry?
"Barry" describes a shield divided into an even number of horizontal bands of alternating colours, while "paly" describes one divided into vertical stripes. The two terms differ only in the direction of the divisions.
What is the difference between "barry" and a single "bar" in heraldry?
A "bar" is a single horizontal band placed across the shield, while "barry" describes the whole field split into several equal horizontal bands of alternating tinctures. "Barry" refers to the overall pattern rather than one stripe.
How many bands does a "barry" field usually have?
A barry field is made of an even number of horizontal bands, and the exact count is normally stated in the description, as in "barry of six" or "barry of eight." An even number keeps the alternating colours balanced.
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