Ultramontane
/ˌʌltrəˈmɒnteɪn/noun
Situated on or coming from the far side of the mountains, especially the Alps; historically, favoring papal authority over local church control.
Did you know?Ultramontane was used in medieval and early modern Europe for people or ideas coming from the far side of the Alps, and later became a loaded term for strong support of papal authority over national churches.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
ultramontanus
“beyond the mountains”
Middle Latin
Latin
ultra montes
“beyond the mountains”
Medieval French
French
ultramontain
“from beyond the Alps; foreign, especially Italian or papal”
16th Century
English
ultramontane
“coming from beyond the mountains; especially papal or Roman Catholic in orientation”
Modern English
English
ultramontane
“relating to the Roman Catholic Church's authority beyond the Alps, especially papal supremacy”
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