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Compartment

Heraldic Terms
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

In heraldry, the base or ground on which supporters (figures flanking a shield) stand, often depicted as a grassy mound, rock, or scroll.

Detailed Definition
The compartment is the foundation for heraldic supporters, symbolizing stability or territory. Poets could use this term to enrich imagery of grounding, heritage, or support structures.
Example
Example in poetry:
The compartment of sea and shore held the supporters in eternal balance; “On a compartment of thorns and roses,” the poem set love’s paradox; The lion and unicorn stood on a grassy compartment, roots of the realm beneath them; The poet’s heart was the compartment where hope and fear held court.
Additional Notes
Compartment is the base or ground upon which supporters stand in a full heraldic achievement (e.g., grass, rocks, or waves); though not part of the shield itself, it adds context; poets may use the compartment to root symbolic figures in a specific landscape or emotional terrain; it is often omitted in simpler depictions.
Also Known As
Base compartment Pedestal Bay
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