Waldenses

American  

[wawl-den-seez, wol-] / wɔlˈdɛn siz, wɒl- /

plural noun

1. the members of a Christian sect that arose after 1170 in southern France under the leadership of Pierre Waldo, a merchant of Lyons, and joined the Reformation in the 16th century.

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Waldenses British  

/ wɒlˈdɛnsiːz, wɒlˈdɛnsɪən /

plural noun

1. Also called: Vaudois.  the members of a small sect founded as a reform movement within the Roman Catholic Church by Peter Waldo, a merchant of Lyons in the late 12th century, which in the 16th century joined the Reformation movement

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• Waldensian
  noun
• Waldensian
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of Waldenses

First recorded in 1400–50; plural of Middle English Waldensis, from Medieval Latin, after Pierre Waldo; see -ensis

Example Sentences

For nearly seven centuries the Waldenses, the "slaughtered saints" of Milton's sonnet, tenaciously weathered persecution in the valleys of the Cottian Alps.

From Time Magazine Archive

To Waldenses in the U. S. last week came good news from Italy.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Waldenses had great reputation as skilful leeches, and two men who had called them in for their wives and children were penanced with the pilgrimages of Puy, St. Gilles, and Compostella.

From A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume II by Lea, Henry Charles

The Waldenses took the reproof kindly, promised amendment, and in a short time the two sects united and formed one body.

From A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume II by Lea, Henry Charles

A number of Waldenses were already in the episcopal prison, and they made diligent perquisition after the rest.

From A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume II by Lea, Henry Charles