ravissant
adjEtymology French
1
Government, Heraldry, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Monarchy, Nobility, Politics In a half-raised position, as if about to spring on prey.
2
Government, Heraldry, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Monarchy, Nobility, Politics Devouring prey; seizing and eating prey.
- The Counts of Miranda quarter this coat with (2 and 3):—Arg. two wolves passant in pale Sa., each ravissant a lamb of the first; within a bordure Gu. charged with eight aspas Or for Avellenada.1889, Genealogist - Volume 6, page 57:
- And it came to pass that Clément Chardin des Lupeaulx, whose father was ennobled by Louis XV., and bore quarterly; of the first, argent, a wolf sable, ravissant, carrying a lamb, gules; of the second, purpur, three buckles argent, two and one; of the third, barry of six, gules and argent; of the fourth, gules, a caduceus winged and wreathed with serpents, vert; with four griffins' claws for supporters; and EN LUPUS In HISTORIA for a motto, managed to wurmount his half-burlesque escutcheon with a Count's coronet.1900, Honoré de Balzac, Scenes from a Courtesan's Life, page 387:
3
Obsolete Ravishing; exquisite.
- In one word, it is so light, so pretty, so ravissant, and such a perfect dear, that EUGENIE herself could not help being jealous, if she were to see it.1855 December 22, Mrs. Worldly Mundane, “A Poor Husband on Bonnets”, in Punch, volume 29, page 244:
- His dame chanced to have a niece—a niece, tradition says, with the loveliest complexion and the most ravissant auburn hair in the world , and with whom, when she visited her aunt, all Oppidans and Tugs who saw the beatific vision became straightway enamoured.1861 January, “Granville De Vigne: A Tale of the Day”, in The New Monthly Magazine, volume 121, number 481, page 18:
1 more example
- To me it is 'ravissant, ravissant' to the very utmost height, to sit here in this chair and see you in that one. It is all in life that is most exquisite.1888 March 24, Eleanor C. Price, “Red Towers”, in All the Year Round, volume 42, number 1008: