gonfalon Meaning, Definition & Usage

Gon"fa*lon, Gon"fa*non noun (Also<

• Gonfalon
• Gonfanon

)

Etymology

OE. gonfanoun, OF. gonfanon, F. gonfalon, the same word as F. confalon, name of a religious brotherhood, fr. OHG. gundfano war flag; gund war (used in comp., and akin to AS. guth) + fano cloth, flag; akin to E. vane; cf. AS. guthfana. See Vane, and cf. Confalon.

Definitions

1. The ensign or standard in use by certain princes or states, such as the mediæval republics of Italy, and in more recent times by the pope.
2. A name popularly given to any flag which hangs from a crosspiece or frame instead of from the staff or the mast itself.

   Standards and gonfalons, 'twixt van and rear, Stream in the air.

   Milton.