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Glite Dictionary
gildhall

gildhall

9.9
A building in medieval times where people in a guild meet for work and social events
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : salón de gremio
  • The annual banquet was held in the grand gildhall at the center of town.

Examples

  • Medieval craftsmen would gather in the gildhall to discuss trade matters and settle disputes.

  • The town's gildhall was built in the 14th century.

  • The old gildhall stands as a reminder of the city's rich mercantile history.

  • Many towns had a gildhall for meetings.

  • Medieval craftsmen would gather in the gildhall to discuss trade matters and settle disputes.

  • The annual banquet was held in the grand gildhall at the center of town.

  • The old gildhall stands as a reminder of the city's rich mercantile history.

Synonyms

hall
vsgildhall
314 1.0

A large space for public gatherings like concerts or feasts

is more specific, used primarily for meetings of trade organizations
great hall
vsgildhall
8 5.1

A very large room in a castle or large house where people eat and have large gatherings

is for meetings of trade organizations rather than residential dining events
guildhall
vsgildhall
  • Archaic
1 9.8

A building where members of a trade group met and worked in the past

refers to meeting rooms used by medieval trade groups for official social functions
manor hall
vsgildhall
8.4

A large main room in an old house or castle used for gatherings and ceremonies

is used for meetings of trade organizations rather than household ceremonies

Surface Forms

gildhall singular
gildhalls plural

Etymology

The word gildhall comes from an old spelling gild of guild ('a group of tradespeople') and hall ('a large meeting room'), so it was literally the guild's meeting place. That's why a gildhall was used for meetings, feasts, and official business.