Ghibelline

American  

[gib-uh-lin, -leen] / ˈgɪb ə lɪn, -ˌlin /

noun

1. a member of the aristocratic party in medieval Italy and Germany that supported the claims of the German emperors against the papacy: politically opposed to the Guelphs.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Ghibellines.

Ghibelline British  

/ -ˌliːn, ˈɡɪbɪˌlaɪn /

noun

1. a member of the political faction in medieval Italy originally based on support for the German emperor

2. (modifier) of or relating to the Ghibellines Compare Guelph 1

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Other Word Forms

• Ghibellinism noun

Etymology

Origin of Ghibelline

1565–75; < Italian Ghibellino < Middle High German *wībeling- ( German Waiblingen ) a Hohenstaufen estate in Germany

Example Sentences

Moved by the reasons stated above, I believe, the Venetians encouraged the Guelf and Ghibelline sects in their subject cities.

From Literature

Yet although Ghibelline and heretic were frequently held by the popes to be almost convertible terms, there was in reality no test capable of universal application.

From Project Gutenberg

Whatever professions Frederic might make, or whatever rigor he might exercise in his Sicilian dominions, it was no part of his policy to estrange the Ghibelline leaders, or to strengthen the Guelfic factions in the turbulent little republics which he sought to reduce to subjection.

From Project Gutenberg

Already, in 1221, Ezzelin da Romano, the most powerful Ghibelline in the March of Treviso, was complained of for the protection which he afforded to heretics, and his continuing to do so to the end shows that he found it to be good policy.

From Project Gutenberg

The heretics were protected by the Ghibelline faction and the partisans of Frederic II., and heresy, far from decreasing, spread rapidly in spite of occasional burnings.

From Project Gutenberg