guild etymology

Etymology:

• Old English: gild
• Anglo-Saxon: gildan, meaning "to pay" or "to contribute"

Meaning and Origin:

In medieval England, a guild was an association of people (usually merchants, craftsmen, or tradesmen) who shared common interests or occupations. The word initially referred to the financial contributions made by members to support the guild's activities, such as banquets, feasts, and religious ceremonies.

Over time, guilds evolved into organizations that regulated trade, set standards for their respective crafts, provided mutual support for members, and played a significant role in the governing of medieval towns. The term "guild" came to encompass various types of associations, including:

Merchant Guilds:

• Associations of merchants who regulated trade and commerce in cities and towns.
• They often had a monopoly over certain goods or services.

Craft Guilds:

• Associations of craftsmen or artisans who shared a specific trade or occupation.
• They established rules and regulations governing the quality of products, apprenticeships, and wages.

Religious Guilds:

• Associations of laypeople who shared a devotion to a particular saint or religious cause.
• They organized religious processions, supported charitable activities, and provided financial aid to members.

Today, the term "guild" is still used to refer to:

• Trade or professional associations (e.g., law guilds, medical guilds)
• Literary or artistic societies (e.g., writers' guilds, actors' guilds)
• In some contexts, it can also refer to a group of people with mutual interests or connections.

guild relate terms

• yield

  Etymology Old English ġieldan meaning to pay render submit surrender Meaning

• yielding

  Etymology Middle English yelden from Old English gildan gyldan from Proto Germanic

• club

  Etymology The word club comes from the Old English word clubbe which originally ref

• society

  Etymology The word society comes from the Latin word societas which means associat

• lodge

  Etymology The word lodge comes from the Old English word loge meaning a small hut

• customer

  Etymology The word customer originates from Old French costumer meaning one who buy

• gavel

  Etymology Old French gavle Latin gabalum Gaulish term for a public assembly Meani

• corporation

  Etymology and Meaning of Corporation The term corporation originates from the Latin w

• restaurant

  Etymology The word restaurant comes from the French verb restaurer which means to

• hunt

  Etymology The word hunt derives from the Proto Indo European root kwen meaning to d

• chapter

  Etymology The word chapter comes from the Latin word capitulum meaning head or he

• order

  Etymology From Middle English ordre ordre from Anglo Norman ordre from Old French or