butler

¹

[ buht-ler ]

noun

1. the chief male servant of a household, usually in charge of serving food, the care of silverware, etc.
2. a male servant having charge of the wines and liquors.
3. a tray or other receptacle used to serve drinks or food.

verb (used with object)

1. to serve (drinks, hors d’oeuvres, etc.) by walking around among guests:

   Our waitstaff will butler cocktails on silver trays. The butlered appetizers are all gluten-free.

Butler

²

[ buht-ler ]

noun

1. Benjamin Franklin, 1818–93, U.S. politician and a Union general in the Civil War.
2. Joseph, 1692–1752, English bishop, theologian, and author.
3. Nicholas Murray, 1862–1947, U.S. educator: president of Columbia University 1902–45; Nobel Peace Prize 1931.
4. Pierce, 1866–1939, U.S. jurist: associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court 1923–39.
5. Samuel, 1612–80, English poet.
6. Samuel, 1835–1902, English novelist, essayist, and satirist.
7. Smedley Dar·ling·ton [smed, -lee , dahr, -ling-t, uh, n], 1881–1940, U.S. Marine Corps general.
8. a city in W Pennsylvania.

butler

¹

/ ˈbʌtlə /

noun

1. the male servant of a household in charge of the wines, table, etc: usually the head servant

Butler

²

/ ˈbʌtlə /

noun

1. ButlerJoseph16921752MEnglishRELIGION: bishopRELIGION: theologianWRITING: author Joseph . 1692–1752, English bishop and theologian, author of Analogy of Religion (1736)
2. ButlerJosephine (Elizabeth)18281906FBritishSOCIAL SCIENCE: social reformer Josephine ( Elizabeth ). 1828–1906, British social reformer, noted esp for her campaigns against state regulation of prostitution
3. ButlerReg19131981MBritishARTS AND CRAFTS: sculptor Reg , full name Reginald Cotterell Butler . 1913–81, British metal sculptor; his works include The Unknown Political Prisoner (1953)
4. ButlerR(ichard) A(usten), Baron Butler of Saffron Walden19021982MBritishPOLITICS: statesman R ( ichard ) A ( usten ), Baron Butler of Saffron Walden, known as Rab Butler . 1902–82, British Conservative politician: Chancellor of the Exchequer (1951–55); Home Secretary (1957–62); Foreign Secretary (1963–64)
5. ButlerSamuel16121680MEnglishWRITING: poetWRITING: satirist Samuel . 1612–80, English poet and satirist; author of Hudibras (1663–78)
6. ButlerSamuel18351902MBritishWRITING: novelist Samuel . 1835–1902, British novelist, noted for his satirical work Erewhon (1872) and his autobiographical novel The Way of All Flesh (1903)

Other Words From

• butler·like adjective
• butler·ship noun
• under·butler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of butler¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English buteler, from Anglo-French butuiller, Old French bouteillier, from Medieval Latin butticulārius, derivative of butticula ; bottle ¹, -er ², -ier ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of butler¹

C13: from Old French bouteillier , from bouteille bottle ¹

Example Sentences

She says that every film she makes, she has to hit someone—The Color Purple, The Butler, and Selma.

From The Daily Beast

That was 12 Years A Slave, The Butler, Fruitvale Station, and Mandela.

From The Daily Beast

Kassig traveled to Beirut during spring break while he was studying at Butler University in Indianapolis.

From The Daily Beast

“I have yet to be convinced that it will work in our best interests,” said Butler.

From The Daily Beast

GERARD BUTLER The Scottish hunk is—surprisingly—leaning towards “NO” when it comes to Scottish independence.

From The Daily Beast

"I most humbly thank your lordship," replied the butler with an air of profound gratitude, as he chuckled in his sleeve.

From Project Gutenberg

What is, then, this precious drink I read of in my Shakespeare—so precious, that your lordship will not trust him to his butler?

From Project Gutenberg

We are going to send our butler to the sale to-morrow, to pick up some of that sixty-four.

From Project Gutenberg

As I emerged from my room next morning I saw old Giles, the butler, hurrying down the corridor towards me.

From Project Gutenberg

The butler had come up to his master in the unobtrusive manner of a well-trained servant, and was waiting an opportunity to speak.

From Project Gutenberg