a banner hanging from a crossbar, used esp by certain medieval Italian republics or in ecclesiastical processions
2.
a battle flag suspended crosswise on a staff, usually having a serrated edge to give the appearance of streamers
Word origin
C16: from Old Italian gonfalone, from Old French gonfalon, of Germanic origin; compare Old English gūthfana war banner, Old Norse gunnfani
gonfalon in American English
(ˈgɑnfəˌlɑn; ˈgɑnfələn)
noun
a flag hanging from a crosspiece instead of an upright staff, usually ending in streamers; esp., such a standard of any of the medieval republics of Italy
Word origin
Fr < OFr gonfanon, banner < Frank *gundfano, battle standard (akin to OE guthfana) < gund, battle (akin to OE guth: see defend) + fano (OE fana), banner: see fanon