HOLY-GHOST, one of the persons of the holy Trinity. See GOD and TRINITY.
Order of the HOLY-GHOST, the principal military order in France, instituted by Henry III. in 1569. It consists of 100 knights, who are to make proof of their nobility for three descents. The king is the grand-master, or sovereign; and as such, takes an oath, on his coronation-day, to maintain the dignity of the order.
The knights wear a golden-crofs, hung about their necks by a blue silk ribbon, or collar. But before they receive the order of the Holy-ghost, that of St Michael is conferred as a necessary degree; and for this reason their arms are surrounded with a double collar.