Definition of: Medici

(med′ə·chē, Ital. mā′dē·chē)
A family of Florentine bankers who became rulers of Tuscany, patrons of the arts, literature, etc. Among its members were Catherine de' Medici,
1519–89, queen of Henry II of France, who planned the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre; Cosimo (Cosmo) de' Medici,
1389–1464; Cosimo (Cosmo) de' Medici,
1519–74, first Grand Duke of Tuscany: called “Cosimo the Great”; Lorenzo de' Medici,
1448?–92, prince of Florence, statesman, educator, patron of art, literature, and printing: known as Lorenzo the Magnificent; Maria de' Medici
(see under MARIA); Giovanni de' Medici
(see LEO X).