Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- French history either of two rebellious movements against the ministry of Cardinal Mazarin in the reign of Louis XIV, the first led by the parlement of Paris (1648–49) and the second by the princes (1650–53)
1798, from French fronde (14c.), “sling,” from Old French fonde, from Latin funda “casting net,” of unknown origin.
Name given to the party which rose against Mazarin and the court during the minority of Louis XIV, supposedly from the use of stone-casting slings to attack property of their opponents. Hence, sometimes used figuratively for “violent political opposition.”