Definition of Oriflemme

Definition of Oriflemme

Oriflamme (i. e. flame of gold), the ancient banner of the kings of France, borne before them as they marched to war; it was a red flag mounted on a gilded staff, was originally the banner of the abbey of St. Denis, and first assumed as the royal standard by Louis VI. as he marched at the head of his army against the Emperor Henry V. in 1124, but one hears no more of it after the battle of Agincourt in 1415, much as it was at one time regarded as the banner of the very Lord of Hosts.

- Wikipedia

{ Or"i*flamb, Or"i*flamme } (?), n. [F. oriflamme, OF. oriflambe, LL. auriflamma; L. aurum gold + flamma flame; cf. L. flammula a little banner. So called because it was a flag of red silk, split into many points, and borne on a gilded lance.] 1. The ancient royal standard of France.

2. A standard or ensign, in battle. "A handkerchief like an oriflamb." Longfellow.

And be your oriflamme to-day the helmet of Navarre.

Macaulay.

- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

(historic) the red silk banner of St Denis, which the abbot of St Denis gave to French kings as they rode to war
any banner, idea or principle which serves as a rallying point for those involved in a struggle
*1963: Please remember that the vocabulary of our readers isn't very extensive, so don't go using words like ‘oriflamme' or ‘inelectable'. — Anthony Burgess, Inside Mr Enderby

French
(historic) the oriflamme
a banner, a standard

- The Nuttall Encyclopedia

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