cupbearer

American  

[kuhp-bair-er] / ˈkʌpˌbɛər ər /

noun

1. a servant who fills and serves wine cups, as in a royal palace or at an elaborate banquet.

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cupbearer British  

/ ˈkʌpˌbɛərə /

noun

1. an attendant who fills and serves wine cups, as in a royal household

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Etymology

Origin of cupbearer

First recorded in 1375–1425, cupbearer is from the Middle English word cuppe-berer. See cup, bearer

Example Sentences

In ancient Persia, a cupbearer would sip the wine — from a spoon so that his lips never touched the cup — before offering it to the king.

From New York Times

In prison, through interpreting the dreams of the cupbearer and baker and eventually the dreams of Pharaoh himself, Joseph rose to be the second in command in Egypt.

From Time

The poem’s typical setting would be a garden where a drinking party was served by a beautiful young cupbearer, but the love would be unrequited.

From Economist

A box from the 19th century B.C. that belonged to an Egyptian pharaoh’s cupbearer, for example, is neatly outfitted with ointment jars and a mirror, attesting to the owner’s sense of pride.

From Architectural Digest

When the custom of the heroic age, which permitted female cupbearers, fell into disuse, Hebe was replaced by Ganymede in the popular mythology.

From Project Gutenberg