guild (redirected from Craft guilds)

guild

Association of craftsmen or merchants formed for mutual aid and for the advancement of their professional interests. Guilds flourished in Europe between the 11th and 16th century and were of two types: merchant guilds, including all the merchants of a particular town or city; and craft guilds, including all the craftsmen in a particular branch of industry (e.g., weavers, painters, goldsmiths). Their functions included establishing trade monopolies, setting standards for quality of goods, maintaining stable prices, and gaining leverage in local governments in order to further the interests of the guild. Craft guilds also established hierarchies of craftsmen based on level of training (e.g., masters, journeymen, and apprentices).

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guild, gild

1. (esp in medieval Europe) an association of men sharing the same interests, such as merchants or artisans: formed for mutual aid and protection and to maintain craft standards or pursue some other purpose such as communal worship

2. Ecology a group of plants, such as a group of epiphytes, that share certain habits or characteristics

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Guild

A group of species that utilize the same kinds of resources, such as food, nesting sites, or places to live, in a similar manner. Emphasis is on ecologically associated groups that are most likely to compete because of similarity in ecological niches, even though species can be taxonomically unrelated. The term was derived from the guild in human society composed of people engaged in an activity or trade held in common.

The guild concept focuses attention on the ways in which ecologically related species differ enough to permit coexistence, or avoid competitive displacement. For example, new places to live for some plants are provided by badger mounds in dense tall-grass prairie vegetation.

The guild is also commonly used as the smallest unit in an ecosystem in studies relating to environmental impact, wildlife management, and habitat classification. A representative species of a guild may be selected for study involving the uncertain assumption that environmental impact will influence this species in the same way as other guild members. See Ecosystem