Heraldry has its own terminology. Some of the most commonly used words are:

Argent

Azure

Bend

Chevron

Chief

Dexter

Ermine

Silver (most often shown as white)

Blue

A broad diagonal strip running from the top left to bottom right of a shield

An inverted V

A broad strip running across the uppermost part of a shield

Right-hand side of the shield (but the user's right, not the viewer's)

A fur made from the white pelt of the ermine on which the black tips of the creature's tail appear

Fess

Griffin

Gules

Mantling

A broad strip running horizontally across the centre of the shield

A monster, part eagle and part lion

Red

A small cloak hanging from the back of the helm, usually shown as shredded and in an updraught

Or

Pale

Passant

Purpure

Rampant

Gold (often shown as yellow)

A broad vertical strip running down the centre of a shield

Position of an animal which is walking with one fore leg raised

Purple

Position of an animal which is standing up on one hind leg and pawing the air with the other three

Sable

Sinister

Vert

Wreath

Black

Left-hand side of the shield (but the viewer's right-hand side)

Green

A cord of twisted silk which holds the mantling to the top of the helm and forms the base of most crests