Word Study
gonfanon
CIDE DICTIONARY
gonfanon, n. [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. gū&edh;) + fano cloth, flag; akin to E. vane; cf. AS. gū&edh;fana. See Vane, and cf. Confalon.].
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- A name popularly given to any flag which hangs from a crosspiece or frame instead of from the staff or the mast itself. [1913 Webster]"Standards and gonfalons, 'twixt van and rear,
Stream in the air." [1913 Webster]
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