in heraldry, a cutting off from within the escutcheon all round it about ¼ of the field, serving as a difference in a coat of arms, to distinguish families of the same name, or persons bearing the same coat. See Plate LI. fig. 16.

If the line constituting the bordure be strait, and the bordure be plain, then in blazoning you must only name the colour of the bordure.

Bordures are sometimes ingrailed, gobonated, invected, &c. See INGRAILED, &c.

If the border be charged with any part of plants or flowers, the term is verdoys of trefoils, or whatever flower it be. If it consists of ermins, vair, or any of the furs, they say purflews of ermins, &c. If the bordure be charged with martlets, the word is charged with an analyron of martlets, &c.

Bordures are symbols of protection, favour and reward; and as such kings bestow them on those they have a value for.