courtier
[kawr-tee-er, kohr-]
- a person who is often in attendance at the court of a king or other royal personage.
- a person who seeks favor by flattery, charm, etc.
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Origin of courtier
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for courtier
Contemporary Examples
But the essence of Disraeli's genius as a courtier was his ability to make it all about her.
Historical Examples
But of that absence the courtier's enemies well availed themselves.
Calderon The CourtierEdward Bulwer-Lytton
The quick step of Fonseca interrupted the courtier's reverie.
Calderon The CourtierEdward Bulwer-Lytton
There is many a courtier will swear to King Henry to bring him in dead or alive.
Maid MarianThomas Love Peacock
But no use moralizing—he was always too much of a courtier for me.
Tales And Novels, Volume 9 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
Why that man has conversation for the prince and the peasant—the courtier and the anchorite.
Tales And Novels, Volume 9 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
courtier
- an attendant at a court
- a person who seeks favour in an ingratiating manner
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Word Origin
C13: from Anglo-French courteour (unattested), from Old French corteier to attend at court
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 courtier
n.
early 13c., from Anglo-French *corteour, from Old French cortoiier "to be at court, live at court" (see court (n.)).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper