ultramontane

[ uhl-truh-mon-teyn, -mon-teyn ]

adjective

1. beyond the mountains.
2. of or relating to the area south of the Alps, especially Italy.
3. Roman Catholic Church.
   1. of, relating to, or advocating ultramontanism.
   2. of, relating to, or supporting the belief that the pope is the spiritual head of the Church in all countries.
4. (formerly) north of the Alps; tramontane.

noun

1. a person who lives beyond the mountains.
2. a person living south of the Alps.
3. Roman Catholic Church. a person who supports ultramontanism.
4. (formerly) a person living to the north of the Alps.

ultramontane

/ ˌʌltrəmɒnˈteɪn /

adjective

1. on the other side of the mountains, esp the Alps, from the speaker or writer Compare cismontane
2. of or relating to a movement in the Roman Catholic Church which favours the centralized authority and influence of the pope as opposed to local independence Compare cisalpine

noun

1. a resident or native from beyond the mountains, esp the Alps
2. a member of the ultramontane party of the Roman Catholic Church

Word History and Origins

Origin of ultramontane¹

1585–95; < Medieval Latin ultrāmontānus, equivalent to Latin ultrā ultra- + montānus montane

Example Sentences

The Pope, the ultramontane bishops, and the ultramontane press have always been ringing fierce changes on the inordinate and wicked ambition of Victor Emanuel.

From Project Gutenberg

During the agitation that arose in connexion with the summoning of the Vatican council Hohenlohe took up an attitude of strong opposition to the ultramontane position.

From Project Gutenberg

About the age of seventeen he entered Exeter College, Oxford, and soon after taking his degree he contributed a letter to Louis Veuillot’s ultramontane organ L’Univers, on “Anglican Church Parties,” which gave him considerable repute.

From Project Gutenberg

It was then proposed by the partisans of the king of France, that one party in the conclave should name three ultramontane prelates, from among whom the other party should select one.

From Project Gutenberg

W. G. Ward, who was “grotesquely truthful,” though ultramontane, broke out into unqualified praise after listening to the reading of “Becket.”

From Project Gutenberg