[roh-luh
nd] 
| 1. | Italian, Orlando. the greatest of the paladins in the Charlemagne cycle of the chansons de geste, renowned for his prowess and the manner of his death in the battle of Roncesvalles (a.d. 778), also for his five days' combat with Oliver in which neither was the victor. |
| 2. | a male given name: from Germanic words meaning “glory” and “land.” |
| 3. | a Roland for an Oliver, retaliation or a retort equal to its provocation; a blow for a blow. |
| Ro·land (rō'lənd, rô-läɴ') n. A French hero celebrated in medieval chansons de geste as the nephew of Charlemagne and defender of Christianity who was killed in battle against the Saracens at Roncesvalles in A.D. 778. |