Merovingian

[ mer-uh-vin-jee-uhn, -juhn ]

adjective

1. of or relating to the Frankish dynasty established by Clovis, which reigned in Gaul and Germany from a.d. 476 to 751.

noun

1. a member or supporter of the Merovingian dynasty.

Merovingian

/ ˌmɛrəʊˈvɪndʒɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to a Frankish dynasty founded by Clovis I, which ruled Gaul and W Germany from about 500 to 751 ad

noun

1. a member or supporter of this dynasty

Word History and Origins

Origin of Merovingian¹

1685–95; < French mérovingien, equivalent to méroving- (< Medieval Latin < Germanic; compare Old English Merewīowing offspring of Merewig, grandfather of Clovis) + -ien -ian

Word History and Origins

Origin of Merovingian¹

C17: from French, from Medieval Latin Merovingi offspring of Merovaeus, Latin form of Merowig, traditional founder of the line

Example Sentences

To him we date the first memorable step which Europe took out of the anarchies of the Merovingian age.

From Project Gutenberg

Society in Europe, in the eleventh century, was nearly as dark and degraded as it was on the fall of the Merovingian dynasty.

From Project Gutenberg

The house was founded in 649 by St. Wandrille, of Merovingian blood.

From Project Gutenberg

He was the last of the Merovingian line who exercised any actual power.

From Project Gutenberg

This proved one of the chief weaknesses of the Merovingian monarchy.

From Project Gutenberg