courtier

[ kawr-tee-er, kohr- ]

/ ˈkɔr ti ər, ˈkoʊr- /

noun

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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Nearby words

courtesy car, courtesy card, courtesy light, courtesy title, courthouse, courtier, courting mirror, courtly, courtly love, courtrai, courtroom

Origin of courtier

1250–1300; Middle English courteour < Anglo-French courte(i)our, equivalent to Old French cortoy(er) to attend at court (derivative of court court) + Anglo-French -our < Latin -ōr- -or²; suffix later conformed to -ier¹

Related formsun·der·cour·ti·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for courtiers

But then the courtiers and her son Edward, the new King Edward VIII (himself a notoriously debauched figure), began cleaning up.
Queen Victoria’s Secret Scottish Sex Castle|Clive Irving|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The courtiers were an effete and in some cases epicene crew.
Queen Victoria’s Secret Scottish Sex Castle|Clive Irving|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Avoid war; don't trust flatterers, courtiers and ministers; and most importantly 'retrieve the glory of the Throne'.
How To Be a King, Circa 1749|Tom Sykes|February 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
More surprising still, the spirit addressed the courtiers by their real names.
How Queen Victoria's Affection For John Brown Sprang From His Contact With Dead Albert's Shade|Tom Sykes|June 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Courtiers said it would have been impossible to complete the trip on scheduled services.
The Nine Juiciest Bits from The Royal Accounts|Tom Sykes|July 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Eventually he was thrust from his high position by an intrigue set on foot by German courtiers and backed by foreign influence.
Memoirs of Leonora Christina|Leonora Christina Ulfeldt
He could never resist the supplications of the courtiers, still less the entreaties of the ladies about the court.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCLXXVI. February, 1847. Vol. LXI.|Various
Sir William came to the manor on the next day, and then peers and courtiers of all ilks flocked thither to worship the rising sun.
England, Picturesque and Descriptive|Joel Cook
On January 14, 1700, a decree was issued commanding all courtiers and officials throughout the empire to wear the foreign dress.
Historic Tales, Vol. 8 (of 15)|Charles Morris
After consultation with his courtiers the King conceded everything asked by Wat Tyler.
The Story of London|Henry B. Wheatley

British Dictionary definitions for courtiers

courtier

/ (ˈkɔːtɪə) /

noun

an attendant at a court

a person who seeks favour in an ingratiating manner

Word Origin for courtier

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 courtiers

courtier

early 13c., from Anglo-French *corteour, from Old French cortoiier "to be at court, live at court" (see court (n.)).

courtier

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Origin of courtier

Examples from the Web for courtiers

British Dictionary definitions for.css-ylq2vz{color:#1a1a1a;} courtiers

courtier

noun

Word Origin for courtier

Word Origin and History for courtiers

courtier

noun

British Dictionary definitions for courtiers