a word corrupted from achievement, and signifying, in heraldry, the armorial bearings of any person fully emblazoned with shield, crest, supporters, etc. The word is used in England for the escutcheon hung up over a door after a funeral, and often in the church. Heraldry is thus supposed to have been formerly connected with religion. The coat was said to be assumed with religious feeling, and at length restored to the sanctuary, in token of thankful acknowledgment to Almighty God. — Farrar, Eccles. Dictionary, s.v.