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English
Etymology
From Old French oriflambe, oriflamme, from Medieval Latin auriflamma (“golden flame”), from Latin aurum (“gold”) + flamma (“flame”).
Pronunciation
Noun
oriflamme (plural oriflammes)
- (historical) The red silk banner of St Denis, which the abbot of St Denis gave to French kings as they rode to war in the Middle Ages.
1988, Robert Irwin, The Mysteries of Algiers, Dedalus, published 1993, page 58:The white banner with the golden lilies of France has been unfurled. The oriflamme has been presented to the virginal bride who stands before the altar in the forest chapel.
- (figuratively) Any banner, idea or principle which serves as a rallying point for those involved in a struggle.
(literary) Something resembling the banner of St Denis; a bright, shining object.
1837, Thomas Carlyle, The French Revolution: A History , volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: Chapman and Hall, →OCLC, (please specify the book or page number):This is that famed Martial law, with its Red Flag, its 'Drapeau Rouge:' in virtue of which Mayor Bailly, or any Mayor, has but henceforth to hang out that new Oriflamme of his; then to read or mumble something about the King's peace; and, after certain pauses, serve any undispersing Assemblage with musket-shot....
1992, Marcel Proust, translated by C.K. Scott-Moncrieff and Terence Kilmartin, edited by D.J. Enright, Swann's Way, Folio Society, published 2005, page 417:Open spaces made visible the approach to almost every one of them, or else a splendid mass of foliage stood out before it like an oriflamme.
Translations
French
Etymology
Inherited from Old French oriflamme, orie flambe, from Medieval Latin auriflamma (“golden flame”), from Latin aurum (“gold”) + flamma.
Pronunciation
IPA(key): /ɔ.ʁi.flɑm/, /ɔ.ʁi.flam/
Noun
oriflamme f (plural oriflammes)
- (historical) oriflamme
- banner, standard
Further reading
Old French
Etymology
Attested as orie flambe, oriflambe. From Medieval Latin auriflamma (“golden flame”), from Latin aurum (“gold”) + flamma (“flame”).
Noun
oriflamme oblique singular, f (oblique plural oriflammes, nominative singular oriflamme, nominative plural oriflammes)
- oriflamme
Descendants