ultramontane

[ uhl-truh-mon-teyn, -mon-teyn ]

/ ˌʌl trə mɒnˈteɪn, -ˈmɒn teɪn /

adjective

beyond the mountains.

of or relating to the area south of the Alps, especially Italy.

Roman Catholic Church.

of, relating to, or advocating ultramontanism.
of, relating to, or supporting the belief that the pope is the spiritual head of the Church in all countries.

(formerly) north of the Alps; tramontane.

noun

a person who lives beyond the mountains.

a person living south of the Alps.

Roman Catholic Church. a person who supports ultramontanism.

(formerly) a person living to the north of the Alps.

Nearby words

Origin of ultramontane

1585–95; < Medieval Latin ultrāmontānus, equivalent to Latin ultrā ultra- + montānus montane

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

Examples from the Web for ultramontane

But the Ultramontane spirit had already invaded Piedmont, and was embraced by its clergy with all the zeal of converts.
The Liberation of Italy|Countess Evelyn Martinengo-Cesaresco
The choice of the conclave astonished Italy, for it fell upon an ultramontane cardinal, unknowing and unknown in Rome.
Memoirs of the Dukes of Urbino, Volume II (of 3)|James Dennistoun
It was as much an instinct of the ultramontane theory to elude the tests of science as to resist the control of States.
The History of Freedom|John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton
So that Belgium, which three years before had been branded as ultramontane, was now denounced as a nest of communists and rebels.
Belgium|Emile Cammaerts

In 1851 he entered the Church of Rome, in which he attached himself to the Ultramontane party.
A Short Biographical Dictionary of English Literature|John W. Cousin

British Dictionary definitions for ultramontane

ultramontane

/ (ˌʌltrəmɒnˈteɪn) /

adjective

on the other side of the mountains, esp the Alps, from the speaker or writerCompare cismontane

of or relating to a movement in the Roman Catholic Church which favours the centralized authority and influence of the pope as opposed to local independenceCompare cisalpine (def. 2)

noun

a resident or native from beyond the mountains, esp the Alps

a member of the ultramontane party of the Roman Catholic Church

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

Word Origin and History for ultramontane

ultramontane

adj.

1590s, from Middle French ultramontain "beyond the mountains" (especially the Alps), from Old French (early 14c.), from Latin ultra "beyond" (see ultra-) + stem of mons (see mount (n.)). Used especially of papal authority, though "connotation varies according to the position of the speaker or writer." [Weekley]