Waldenses

1 of 3

plural noun

Wal·​den·​ses wȯl-ˈden(t)-(ˌ)sēz How to pronounce Waldenses (audio)
wäl-
: a Christian sect arising in southern France in the 12th century, adopting Calvinist doctrines in the 16th century, and later living chiefly in Piedmont
Waldensian adjective or noun

Waldensian

2 of 3

adjective

Wal·​den·​si·​an
: of, relating to, or constituting the Waldenses

Waldensian

3 of 3

noun

"
plural -s
: one of the Waldenses

Word History

Etymology

Plural noun

Middle English Waldensis, from Medieval Latin Waldenses, Valdenses, from Peter Waldo (or Valdo)

Adjective

Waldenses + English -an

First Known Use

Plural Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Waldenses was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Waldenses.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Waldenses. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on Waldenses

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster