guild

guild

noun \ˈgild\

Definition of GUILD

1

: an association of people with similar interests or pursuits; especially : a medieval association of merchants or craftsmen

2

: a group of organisms that use the same ecological resource in a similar way <a feeding guild>

— guild·ship \ˈgil(d)-ˌship\ noun

Variants of GUILD

guild also gild \ˈgild\

Examples of GUILD

1. <after his apprenticeship, he was able to join the stonemasons' guild>

Origin of GUILD

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to GUILD

Synonyms

board, brotherhood, chamber, club, college, congress, consortium, council, fellowship, fraternity, association (also gild), institute, institution, league, order, organization, society, sodality

Related Words

collective, commune, community, cooperative; alliance, bloc, camp, coalition, partnership; body, cadre, group; circle, clan, clique, coterie, junta, junto, klatch (also klatsch), lot, set; crew, outfit, party, squad, team; branch, chapter, local; faithful, fold, membership; sisterhood, sorority; cabal, camarilla, camorra, confederacy, conspiracy; band, gang, ring; cartel, combine, syndicate

Rhymes with GUILD

build, dilled, gild, gilled, skilled, twilled, willed

guild

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Association of craftsmen or merchants formed for mutual aid and for the advancement of their professional interests. Guilds flourished in Europe between the 11th and 16th century and were of two types: merchant guilds, including all the merchants of a particular town or city; and craft guilds, including all the craftsmen in a particular branch of industry (e.g., weavers, painters, goldsmiths). Their functions included establishing trade monopolies, setting standards for quality of goods, maintaining stable prices, and gaining leverage in local governments in order to further the interests of the guild. Craft guilds also established hierarchies of craftsmen based on level of training (e.g., masters, journeymen, and apprentices).