norman
n. countablen. a person from Normandy in France, or one of the people who conquered England in 1066. It also describes the style of old buildings with thick walls and round arches.
n. a member of the people of mixed Scandinavian and Frankish origin who settled in Normandy and conquered England in the 11th century. Often used to describe the Romanesque architectural style prevalent in Britain after the conquest.
The Normans built many large stone castles across the country.
Historians study how the Norman invasion changed the English language and legal system forever.
The cathedral is a prime example of Norman architecture, featuring massive pillars and the characteristic rounded arches that preceded the pointed Gothic style.
From Middle English Norman, from Old English Norman (a variant of Norþman) and Old French Normant. It is certain that the word is derived from the base of the Germanic words for north and the Germanic base of the words for man. However, given the frequent movement of Germanic groups especially into and out of Britain in the post-classical world, it is unclear in what tongue it came to be used first. In addition, the generally accepted meaning, a person from Normandy or one of the many French-speaking invaders to Britain, was used chiefly by Anglo-Norman and Old French, though it originally referred to any Scandinavian of the time. See also Northman.
Always capitalized as it refers to a specific ethnic group or historical period.