Main Entry:

guild

Variant(s):

also gild \ˈgild\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English gilde, from Old Norse gildi payment, guild; akin to Old English gield tribute, guild — more at geld

Date:

14th century

1: an association of people with similar interests or pursuits ; especially : a medieval association of merchants or craftsmen2: a group of organisms that use the same ecological resource in a similar way <a feeding guild>

— guild·ship \ˈgil(d)-ˌship\ noun