n.
   - a medieval association of craftsmen or merchants.
 - an association of people for mutual aid or the pursuit of a common goal.
 - Ecology  a group of species with similar roles within a community.
 
 
  Derivative
  
    
      - guildsman n. 
(pl. guildsmen)
. 
    
   
  Etymology
  OE: prob. from Mid. Low Ger. and MDu. gilde, of Gmc origin; rel. to yield.