counterpassant

English

The arms of Hurstpierpoint College include two wolves passant counterpassant gules.

Etymology

From counter- +‎ passant.

Adjective

counterpassant (not comparable)

1. (heraldry) Passant in opposite directions; said of two animals, or of one animal in relation to another animal on the same shield.
   • 1874, John Woody Papworth, An Alphabetical Dictionary of Coats of Arms Belonging to Families in Great Britain and Ireland, page 202:

     Arg. a bend engr. betw. in chief a lion pass., and in base a lion counterpassant gu.

Alternative forms

• counter-passant

Related terms

• counter-couchant

References

• “counterpassant”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.