longobard: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHistorical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “longobard” mean?
A member of a Germanic people who invaded and established a kingdom in Italy in the 6th century.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a Germanic people who invaded and established a kingdom in Italy in the 6th century.
Pertaining to the Lombards, their language, culture, or the historical period of their rule in Italy. Also used as an alternative name for the Lombards.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference. Both variants use 'Lombard' more frequently than 'Longobard.'
Connotations
Both carry the same historical, academic connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both dialects, confined to specialised historical writing.
Grammar
How to Use “longobard” in a Sentence
[ADJ] Longobard (noun)the Longobards (plural proper noun)of Longobard origin (prepositional phrase)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “longobard” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The museum has a superb collection of Longobard jewellery.
American English
- The Longobard legal code influenced later medieval laws.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in historical, archaeological, and art history texts to describe the people and culture of the post-Roman kingdom in Italy.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used in specialised historical taxonomy and onomastics.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “longobard”
- Misspelling as 'Longboard' (a type of surfboard).
- Using it in contemporary contexts instead of 'Lombard' for the Italian region.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Longobard' is the more precise scholarly term for the early Germanic people, while 'Lombard' is the common term for the later medieval kingdom and the modern Italian region.
No, it is an extremely rare, specialised historical term. The average English speaker would be more familiar with 'Lombard.'
They are believed to have originated in Scandinavia before migrating south into the region of modern-day Germany, and later into Italy.
They spoke a Germanic language, Old Lombardic, which left traces in Italian place names and a few loanwords but became extinct.
A member of a Germanic people who invaded and established a kingdom in Italy in the 6th century.
Longobard is usually historical, academic in register.
Longobard: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlɒŋɡəʊbɑːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlɑːŋɡoʊbɑːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The LONG-bearded (Longo-bard) Germanic warriors who travelled a LONG way to Italy.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern synonym for 'Longobard'?