a French Calvinist, esp of the 16th or 17th centuries
adjective
2.
designating the French Protestant Church
Derived forms
Huguenotic (ˌHugueˈnotic)
adjective
Huguenotism (ˈHugueˌnotism)
noun
Word origin
C16: from French, from Genevan dialect eyguenot one who opposed annexation by Savoy, ultimately from Swiss German Eidgenoss confederate; influenced by Hugues, surname of 16th-century Genevan burgomaster
Huguenot in American English
(ˈhjugəˌnɑt)
noun
any French Protestant of the 16th or 17th cent.
Word origin
MFr, orig., supporter of group in Geneva opposing annexation to Savoy: altered (afterHugues Besançon, leader of the group) < earlier eidgnot < Ger eidgenosse, a confederate, ally: name later applied to Protestants in reference to the CalvinistReformation in Geneva