definitions

John of Gaunt

noun

Duke of Lancaster, 1340–99, English soldier and statesman: fourth son of Edward III; founder of the royal house of Lancaster (father of Henry IV of England).

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Definition for john of gaunt (2 of 2)

Gaunt

[ gawnt, gahnt ]
/ gɔnt, gɑnt /

noun

John of. John of Gaunt.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for john of gaunt (1 of 2)

John of Gaunt

/ (ɡɔːnt) /

noun

Duke of Lancaster. 1340–99, son of Edward III: virtual ruler of England during the last years of his father's reign and during Richard II's minority

Word Origin for John of Gaunt

Gaunt, variant of Ghent, where he was born

British Dictionary definitions for john of gaunt (2 of 2)

gaunt

/ (ɡɔːnt) /

adjective

bony and emaciated in appearance
(of places) bleak or desolate

Derived Forms

gauntly, adverbgauntness, noun

Word Origin for gaunt

C15: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian dialect gand tall lean person
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