a. [ OF. tramontain, It. tramontano, L. transmontanus; trans across, beyond + mons, montis, mountain. ] Lying or being beyond the mountains; coming from the other side of the mountains; hence, foreign; barbarous. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ The Italians sometimes use this epithet for ultramontane, and apply it to the countries north of the Alps, as France and Germany, and especially to their ecclesiastics, jurists, painters, etc.; and a north wind is called a tramontane wind. The French lawyers call certain Italian canonists tramontane, or ultramontane, doctors; considering them as favoring too much the court of Rome. See Ultramontane. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One living beyond the mountains; hence, a foreigner; a stranger. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ LL. ultramontanus; L. ultra beyond + montanus belonging to a mountain, from mons, montis, mountain: cf. F. ultramontain, It. ultramontano. See Ultra-, and Mountain. ] Being beyond the mountains; specifically, being beyond the Alps, in respect to the one who speaks. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ This term was first applied, somewhat contemptuously, by the Italians, to the nations north of the Alps, especially the Germans and French, their painters, jurists, etc. At a later period, the French and Germans applied it to the Italians. It is now more particularly used in respect to religious matters; and ultramontane doctrines, when spoken of north of the Alps, denote the extreme views of the pope's rights and supremacy maintained by
n.