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Poursuivant

Defined in 4 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

A follower; a pursuer. In the ancient English law, it signified an officer who attended upon the king in his wars, at the council table, exchequer, in his court, etc., to be sent as a messenger. A poursuivant was, therefore, a messenger of the king. POURVEYANCE (Law Fr. and Eng.; from Fr. pourvoire, to provide).

In old English law. The providing corn (grain), fuel, victual, and other necessaries for the king's house. Cowell. See "Purveyance." POURVEYOR (from Fr. pourvoire, to age, that provided corn (grain) and other victual for their house. Cowell. See "Purveyor."

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

A king’s messenger.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

A follower; a pursuer. In the ancient English law, it signified an officer who attended upon the king in his wars, at the council-table, exchequer, in his court, etc., to be sent as a messenger. A poursuivant was, therefore, a messenger of the king.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

The king's messenger; a royal or state messenger. In the heralds' college, a functionary of lower rank than a herald, but discharging similar duties, called also "poursuivant at arms."