Fronde

noun

French history either of two rebellious movements against the ministry of Cardinal Mazarin in the reign of Louis XIV, the first led by the parlement of Paris (1648–49) and the second by the princes (1650–53)

Word Origin for Fronde

C18: from French, literally: sling, the insurgent parliamentarians being likened to naughty schoolboys using slings

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

Examples from the Web for fronde

Historical Examples of fronde

On recovering from his wounds, the war of the Fronde broke out.
Reflections
Francois Duc De La Rochefoucauld
But the army was faithful to the king, and without it the Fronde was powerless.
Historical Tales, Vol. 6 (of 15)
Charles Morris
The origins of the Fronde are expounded in pages of profound sagacity.
A History of French Literature
Edward Dowden
The Pascals left Rouen in 1648 during the disturbances of the Fronde.
The Story of Rouen
Sir Theodore Andrea Cook
The Fronde co-operated with the Spanish troops in the civil war.
Louis XIV., Makers of History Series
John S. C. Abbott

Word Origin and History for fronde

Fronde

1798, from French fronde (14c.), "sling," from Old French fonde, from Latin funda "casting net," of unknown origin.

Name given to the party which rose against Mazarin and the court during the minority of Louis XIV, supposedly from the use of stone-casting slings to attack property of their opponents. Hence, sometimes used figuratively for "violent political opposition."