gonfalon

[ gon-fuh-luhn ]

noun

1. a banner suspended from a crossbar, often with several streamers or tails.
2. a standard, especially one used by the medieval Italian republics.

gonfalon

/ ˈɡɒnfələn; ˈɡɒnfənən /

noun

1. a banner hanging from a crossbar, used esp by certain medieval Italian republics or in ecclesiastical processions
2. a battle flag suspended crosswise on a staff, usually having a serrated edge to give the appearance of streamers

Word History and Origins

Origin of gonfalon¹

1585–95; < Italian gonfalone < Middle French gonfalon, gonfanon < Germanic; gonfanon

Word History and Origins

Origin of gonfalon¹

C16: from Old Italian gonfalone, from Old French gonfalon, of Germanic origin; compare Old English gūthfana war banner, Old Norse gunnfani

Example Sentences

But otherwise, let your freak gonfalon fly.

From Slate

That was the epic and tawdry collapse; that was the one that really reminded a veteran about the wars gone by, when the guys did all they could to screw it up on a regular basis, and the gonfalon stayed nestled in its box for another year.

From Time

Thou know'st that in that court where Love puts on His royal robes, no vile man can be servant To any lady who were lost therein; If servant's suff'ring doth assistance win, Our style could show unto the least observant, It beareth mercy for a gonfalon.

From Slate

Gonfalonier′, one who bears a gonfalon: the chief magistrate in many Italian cities because of his bearing this flag.

From Project Gutenberg

Gonfalon, gon′fa-lon, n. an ensign or standard with streamers—also Gon′fanon.—n.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• emblem
• headline
• pennant
• streamer