gamb, gambe Her.
(gæmb)
[a. OF. gambe, northern form of jambe leg: see jamb.]
The leg of an animal represented on a coat of arms.
| 1727 in Bailey vol. II. 1765 Porny Heraldry Gloss., Gamb or Gambe, an obsolete French word, signifying a Leg and used as such by Heralds for the leg of a Lion, or other Creature, born in Coats-of-arms. 1800 Naval Chron. III. 38 On a wreath a lion's gamb erect. 1821 Southey in Q. Rev. XXV. 280 [He] bade him take it [a ring] and ever after bear such a one in the fore gamb of the demy lion in his crest. 1882 Cussans Her. vi. (ed. 3) 87 A Leg, styled heraldically a Jambe, or Gambe, which is usually represented as erased, or torn from the body. |
Hence † gambed ppl. a., having legs. Obs. rare—1.
| a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Cornwall i. (1662) 203 Gamb'd like a goat [L. est tibi gamba capri], sparrow-thigh'd. |