butler
[buht-ler]
- the chief male servant of a household, usually in charge of serving food, the care of silverware, etc.
- a male servant having charge of the wines and liquors.
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Origin of butler
Butler
[buht-ler]
- Benjamin Franklin,1818–93, U.S. politician and a Union general in the Civil War.
- Joseph,1692–1752, English bishop, theologian, and author.
- Nicholas Murray,1862–1947, U.S. educator: president of Columbia University 1902–45; Nobel Peace Prize 1931.
- Pierce,1866–1939, U.S. jurist: associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court 1923–39.
- Samuel,1612–80, English poet.
- Samuel,1835–1902, English novelist, essayist, and satirist.
- Smedley Dar·ling·ton [smed-lee dahr-ling-tuh n] /ˈsmɛd li ˈdɑr lɪŋ tən/, 1881–1940, U.S. Marine Corps general.
- a city in W Pennsylvania.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for butler
Contemporary Examples
She says that every film she makes, she has to hit someone—The Color Purple, The Butler, and Selma.
Ava DuVernay on ‘Selma,’ the Racist Sony Emails, and Making Golden Globes HistoryMarlow Stern
December 15, 2014
That was 12 Years A Slave, The Butler, Fruitvale Station, and Mandela.
David Oyelowo on Playing Martin Luther King Jr., Ebola Fears, and Race in HollywoodMarlow Stern
October 15, 2014
Kassig traveled to Beirut during spring break while he was studying at Butler University in Indianapolis.
“I have yet to be convinced that it will work in our best interests,” said Butler.
Celebs Pick Sides on Scotland Referendum: Sean Connery, Andy Murray, Prince Harry, and MoreMarlow Stern
September 19, 2014
Now the sky is a hot, empty blue, and cars line the curb from Butler to Vance.
Historical Examples
Mr. Milbrey glanced at the two shells of the orange which the butler was then removing.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
She knew the butler's life history two days after she had ceased to be afraid of him.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
The entrance of the butler brought the Inspector's thoughts back to the matter in hand.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
To be sure; but she was then called Mrs. Butler—just as pretty a name to my fancy.
Alice, or The Mysteries, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
Dutton was son to a man who had lived as butler in Mowbray's family.
Tales And Novels, Volume 9 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
butler
- the male servant of a household in charge of the wines, table, etc: usually the head servant
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Word Origin
C13: from Old French bouteillier, from bouteille bottle 1
Butler
- Joseph . 1692–1752, English bishop and theologian, author of Analogy of Religion (1736)
- Josephine (Elizabeth). 1828–1906, British social reformer, noted esp for her campaigns against state regulation of prostitution
- Reg, full name Reginald Cotterell Butler . 1913–81, British metal sculptor; his works include The Unknown Political Prisoner (1953)
- 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)
- Samuel . 1612–80, English poet and satirist; author of Hudibras (1663–78)
- Samuel . 1835–1902, British novelist, noted for his satirical work Erewhon (1872) and his autobiographical novel The Way of All Flesh (1903)
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for butler
n.
late 12c., from Anglo-French buteillier "cup-bearer," from Old French boteillier "cup-bearer, butler, officer in charge of wine," from boteille "wine vessel, bottle" (see bottle (n.)). The word reflects the position's original function as "chief servant in charge of wine." In Old French, fem. boteilliere was used of the Virgin Mary as "dispenser" of the cup of Mercy.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper