wälˈden(t)ˌsēz, wȯl- noun plural
or val·den·ses val-
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Middle English Waldensis, from Medieval Latin Waldenses, Valdenses, from Peter Waldo (or Valdo ) fl 12th century A.D. French heretic
: a body of Christians arising in southern France in the 12th century, adopting Calvinist doctrines in the 16th century, suffering severe persecution until recent times, and now living chiefly in Piedmont — called also Vaudois