guild

guild · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A medieval association of craftsmen or merchants, often having considerable power.

  2. 2.

    An association of people for mutual aid or the pursuit of a common goal.

  3. 3.

    (ecology) A group of species that exploit the same resources in a similar way.

Forms

plural: guilds

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    guild hall — A meeting place for guild members
  • •
    guild system — The medieval economic system based on guilds
  • •
    trade guild — An association of workers in a specific trade

Related words

See also: association, craft, society, union
Synonyms: association, fraternity, society, union

Etymology

From Old English gild or geld ("payment, tribute, guild"), from Proto-Germanic geldą ("payment, reward").