Guelph

¹

or Guelf

[ gwelf ]

noun

1. a member of the political party in medieval Italy and Germany that supported the sovereignty of the papacy against the German emperors: opposed to the Ghibellines.
2. a member of a secret society in Italy in the early 19th century that opposed foreign rulers and reactionary ideas.

Guelph

²

[ gwelf ]

noun

1. a city in SE Ontario, in S Canada.

Guelph

¹

/ ɡwɛlf /

noun

1. See Ghibelline
   a member of the political faction in medieval Italy that supported the power of the pope against the German emperors Compare Ghibelline
2. a member of a secret society in 19th-century Italy opposed to foreign rule

Guelph

²

/ ɡwɛlf /

noun

1. a city in Canada, in SE Ontario. Pop: 106 920 (2001)

Derived Forms

• ˈGuelphism, noun
• ˈGuelphic, adjective

Other Words From

• Guelphic Guelfic adjective
• Guelphism Guelfism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Guelph¹

1570–80; < Italian Guelfo < Middle High German Welf name of founder of a princely German family

Example Sentences

It seemed as though Pisa herself was about to become Guelph, or at any rate to fling out her nobles.

From Project Gutenberg

I interviewed the man who would be King, and heard his theory as to the illegal usurpation of the Throne by the Guelph family.

From Project Gutenberg

Dante was present at this battle, being then twenty-four years old, and serving in the Guelph cavalry.

From Project Gutenberg

And so it came to pass that the victory of either the Guelph or Ghibelline party depended on the final action of Florence.

From Project Gutenberg

In the revolution of Candlemas, 1248, the successful Ghibellines throw down thirty-six of the Guelph palaces.

From Project Gutenberg