Carolingian

[ kar-uh-lin-jee-uhn ]

adjective

of or relating to the Frankish dynasty that reigned in France a.d. 751–987, first under Charlemagne, and in Germany until a.d. 911.
pertaining to or designating the arts, script, or culture of the Carolingian period, chiefly characterized by a revival of the forms of classical antiquity modified by ecclesiastical requirements: Carolingian renaissance.

noun

a member of the Carolingian dynasty. Abbreviation: Carol.

Origin of Carolingian

1880–85; re-formation of earlier Carlovingian (conformed to Medieval Latin Carolus Magnus Charlemagne) <French carlovingien, equivalent to Medieval Latin Car(o)l(us) + French -ovingien, extracted from mérovingienMerovingian

Also Carlovingian, Carolinian.

Other words from Carolingian

post-Car·o·lin·gi·an, adjective
pre-Car·o·lin·gi·an, adjective

Words Nearby Carolingian

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Carolingian in a sentence

A girdle ornament in gold, set with garnets (fig. 28), is an example of Carolingian design of a high class.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 4 | Various
Now the Emperor is putting on his domestic robes, we said a new dress, and after the old Carolingian pattern.
The Best of the World's Classics, Restricted to Prose, Vol. VIII (of X) - Continental Europe II. | Various
It is predominant among the theologians of the Carolingian time.
The Influence of the Bible on Civilisation | Ernst Von Dobschutz
Each may be said to have passed through a Merovingian stage, and to have rebuilt itself larger and finer in Carolingian times.
How France Built Her Cathedrals | Elizabeth Boyle O'Reilly
While some portion may be Romanesque, it is uncommon to find any Carolingian vestige remaining.
How France Built Her Cathedrals | Elizabeth Boyle O'Reilly

British Dictionary definitions for Carolingian

Carolingian

/ (ˌkærəˈlɪndʒɪən) /

adjective

of or relating to the Frankish dynasty founded by Pepin the Short, son of Charles Martel, which ruled in France from 751–987 ad and in Germany until 911 ad

noun

a member of the dynasty of the Carolingian Franks

Also called: Carlovingian, Carolinian

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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