a. [ad. L. vorant-, vorans, pres. pple. of vorāre to devour.]
† 1. Devouring. Obs. rare.
1618. Dekker, Owles Almanack, 18. Lofty Lion (said Jove) I will thee claspe thy jawes, and shut the portall of that vorant grave.
1639. C. Daniel, Ecclus. xxviii. 72. As the fierce Lyon from his cunning ward, It shall Surprise him; as the Vorant Pard, It shall destroy them.
2. Her. Of animals: (see quots.).
1766. Porny, Heraldry, Dict., Vorant, this term … is used in Blazonry to express the action of any Animal, Fish, Bird, or Reptile, devouring or swallowing up another creature.
1780. Edmondson, Her., II. s.v., A serpent erect, in pale, vorant an infant.
1864. Boutell, Her. Hist. & Pop., x. (ed. 3), 60. A Lion … may be Vigilant, or Vorant.
1868. Cussans, Her. (1893), 95. Trussing has the same signification when applied to birds, as Vorant has to animals.
