oriflamme

[ awr-uh-flam, or- ]

noun

1. the red banner of St. Denis, near Paris, carried before the early kings of France as a military ensign.
2. any ensign, banner, or standard, especially one that serves as a rallying point or symbol.

oriflamme

/ ˈɒrɪˌflæm /

noun

1. a scarlet flag, originally of the abbey of St Denis in N France, adopted as the national banner of France in the Middle Ages

Word History and Origins

Origin of oriflamme¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English oriflam, oriflamble, from Middle French, Old French oriflamme, oriflambe, equivalent to orie “golden” (from Latin aurea, feminine of aureus, derivative of aurum “gold”) + flamme; flame

Word History and Origins

Origin of oriflamme¹

C15: via Old French, from Latin aurum gold + flamma flame

Example Sentences

What struck their fancy most was certainly the colour and design of the new oriflamme.

From Project Gutenberg

It was akin to the pawing of the mediaeval charger when he knew it near the time for the oriflamme to be advanced.

From Project Gutenberg

That was the first time the oriflamme of St. Denis was carried as the national emblem.

From Project Gutenberg

How it pressed forward an oriflamme of joy, through all ranks and peoples; how the world rang with the wonder of it!

From Project Gutenberg

The oriflamme had gone, and so had the blue and silver banner, but here were desperate men ready to fight to the death.

From Project Gutenberg