guild
guild Lexical Profile
guild Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A medieval association of craftsmen or merchants, often possessing considerable power, formed to regulate trade, maintain standards, and provide mutual aid.
"During the Middle Ages, a young carpenter had to serve as an apprentice before being admitted as a master in the local guild."
A modern association, union, or society of people with shared professional, artistic, or charitable interests and goals.
"The screenwriters' guild negotiated a new contract to ensure fair royalties for streaming content."
In ecology, a group of species that exploit the same class of environmental resources in a similar way.
"Nectar-feeding birds and insects form a distinct foraging guild within the tropical rainforest ecosystem."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'guild' (an association of artisans or professionals) with its homophone 'gild' (to cover thinly with gold).
• Rhymes for guild
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'gilde', derived from a fusion of Old English 'gield' (payment, tribute, or brotherhood) and Old Norse 'gildi' (payment or guild), ultimately tracing back to Proto-Germanic '*geldan' (to pay).