Množina: guilds

ETYM Old Eng. gilds, AS. gild, gield, geld, tribute, a society or company where payment was made for its charge and support, from AS. gildan, gieldan, to pay. Related to Yield.
Or gild; Medieval association, particularly of artisans or merchants, formed for mutual aid and protection and the pursuit of a common purpose, religious or economic. Guilds became politically powerful in Europe but after the 16th century their position was undermined by the growth of capitalism.
Guilds fulfilling charitable or religious functions (for example, the maintenance of schools, roads, or bridges, the assistance of members in misfortune, or the provision of masses for the souls of dead members) flourished in western Europe from the 9th century but were suppressed in Protestant countries at the Reformation.
The earliest form of economic guild, the guild merchant, arose during the 11th and 12th centuries; this was an organization of the traders of a town, who had been granted a practical monopoly of its trade by charter. As the merchants often strove to exclude craftworkers from the guild, and to monopolize control of local government, the craft guilds came into existence in the 12th and 13th centuries. These, which included journeymen (day workers) and apprentices as well as employers, regulated prices, wages, working conditions, and apprenticeship, prevented unfair practices, and maintained high standards of craft; they also fulfilled many social, religious, and charitable functions. By the 14th century they had taken control of local government, ousting the guild merchant.
(Homonym: gild).
An association or union of workers or artisans, usually during the medieval period.

Množina: guild socialisms

A form of socialist theory advocating state ownership of industry but managements by guilds of workers.
Early 20th-century movement in Britain whose aim was to organize and control the industrial life of the country through self-governing democratic guilds of workers. Inspired by Catholicism, it was antimaterialistic and attempted to arrest what it saw as a spiritual decline in modern civilization. The National Guilds League was founded 1915, and at the movement's height there were over 20 guilds, but the league was dissolved 1925.

Množina: guilders

ETYM Dutch gulden, orig., golden. Related to Golden.
1. The basic unit of money in Suriname; equal to 100 cents; SYN. gulden, florin.
2. The basic unit of money in the Netherlands; equal to 100 cents; SYN. gulden, florin.

Množina: Guildfords

City in Surrey, S England, on the river Wey; It has a ruined Norman castle, a cathedral (founded 1936 and completed 1961), and the University of Surrey (1966). There is a cattle market, and industries include flour-milling, plastics, engineering, vehicles, and pharmaceuticals. The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre opened 1965.

Množina: Guildford Fours

Four Irish victims of miscarriage of justice who spent 14 years in prison convicted of terrorist bombings of pubs in Guildford and Woolwich 1974. They were released 1989 when an investigation concluded that the arresting Surrey police had given misleading evidence and, in consequence, their convictions were subsequently quashed.
Three former Surrey police officers were subsequently accused of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Množina: guildhalls

The hall of a guild or corporation.

Singular of guildhalls is guildhall.

Singular of guilds is guild.

Množina: guildsmen

1. A guild member
2. An advocate of guild socialism