seneschal
/ˈsɛnəʃəl/
seneschal
English
Noun
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Definition
A steward, particularly (historical) one in charge of a medieval nobleman's estate.
Etymology
From Middle English seneschal (recorded in English since 1393), from Old French seneschal, from Medieval Latin siniscalcus, from Frankish *siniskalk, from Proto-Germanic *siniskalkaz, from Proto-Germanic *siniz (“senior”) + *skalkaz (“servant”); latter term as in marshal. As an officer of the French crown, via French sénéchal.
Example Sentences
- "Beside stood seneschals, the appointed witnesses of the ensuing games."
- "[…] so the very keenest seneskal can't see no sign […]"
- "It was in the queer little Church of Vera Cruz, beneath the castle, that the Knights Templar performed their secret rites of chivalry, standing vigil over their arms all night, in all the mysterious splendour of seneschal, gonfalon, and accolade."
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