See Also: oriflamme(dictionary)

oriflamme (iou)



oriflamme noun. LME.
[Old & mod. French oriflambe, -amme, in medieval Latin auriflamma, from aurum gold + flamma FLAME noun.]
Hist. The sacred red or orange-red silk banner of St Denis, given to early kings of France by the abbot of St Denis on setting out for war. LME.
transf. & fig.
a. A banner, principle, ideal, etc., that serves as a rallying point in a struggle. E17.
D. Macdonald A copy of Ulysses, whose light-blue-and-white cover was then an oriflamme for such as me.
b. A bright conspicuous object, colour, etc. M19.
George Eliot The new-bathed Day With oriflamme uplifted o'er the peaks.