gurges

plural gurgeses · alternative gurge

1. rareA whirlpool.

   It was early—only ten p.m.—but already gurgeses of light and gales of sound frothed in unison to a familiar relentless heartbeat.

   (Can we date this quote?), Wilyem Clark, Edgewise, Wilyem Clark, page 72

2. governmentA series of typically four to six concentric annulets (in early heraldry, from at least the 1200s), or a spiralling line from the centre to the edge of the shield (in late heraldry); a stylized whirlpool.

   A shield of arms of early shape : three gurgeses (or roundles charged with a central pellet and two annulets concentric), two and one.

   1894, British Museum. Department of Manuscripts, Walter de Gray Birch, Catalogue of Seals in the Department of Manuscripts in the British Museum, page 294

   1 more example

   Argent, a gurges azure, is borne by GORGES, of Langford, Wilts., created a Baronet 1612. As the gurges (like the fountain) represents water, argent and azure are its proper tinctures.

   1847, Henry Gough, A Glossary of Terms Used in British Heraldry: With a Chronological Table, Illustrative of Its Rise and Progress, page 153

   Synonyms: gorges

1. pluralplural of gurge