ultramontane noun & adjective. [ʌltrǝ'mɒnteɪn] L16.
[medieval Latin ultramontanus, formed as ULTRA- + mont-, mons mountain: see -ANE.]
A. noun.
1. Christian Church.
a. A representative of the Roman Catholic Church north of the Alps, as opp. to the Italian clergy. Now rare. L16.
b. = ULTRAMONTANIST noun. E19.

2. gen. A native or inhabitant of a country beyond a mountain range, esp. north of the Alps. Now rare. E17.
b. adjective.
1. a. Of or pertaining to the countries or peoples north of the Alps. Now rare. E17.
b. Christian Church. Orig., pertaining to or characteristic of the Italian party in the Roman Catholic Church. Now usu., advocating papal authority. E18.
■ E. B. Pusey The old Ultramontane doctrine of the inerrancy of the Pope.
c. transf. Extremely strict, conservative, or reactionary in views. L19.

2. gen. Situated beyond a mountain range; pertaining to a region beyond a mountain range. rare. L18.

► In senses A.1a and B.1a the word is used from the point of view of Italy, in senses A.1b and B.1b from that of France and northern Europe.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲