[ gwɛlf ]
■ noun
1》 a member of one of two great factions in Italian medieval politics, traditionally supporting the Pope against the Holy Roman emperor and his supporters, the Ghibellines.
2》 a member of a German princely family from which the British royal house is descended.
Derivatives
~ic adjective
Origin
from Ital. Guelfo , from Mid. High Ger. Welf , the name of the founder of the ~ faction.