famulus

[fam-yuh-luh s]

noun, plural fam·u·li

[fam-yuh-lahy] /ˈfæm yəˌlaɪ/.

a servant or attendant, especially of a scholar or a magician.

Origin of famulus

1830–40; < Latin: servant, slave; cf. family

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for famulus

Historical Examples of famulus

Famulus sped on before, or bounded after them, perpetually on the gallop.
The Child of Pleasure
Gabriele D'Annunzio
Then Famulus did as he was bid and forced the blade into his master's heart.
Myths and Legends of All Nations
Various
Basil took the scroll which his famulus handed to him and cut the cord.
Under the Witches' Moon
Nathan Gallizier
Witness, Mr. Pluto of the Underground and his Famulus, the doctor.
The Spirit of the Ghetto
Hutchins Hapgood
He tells us of a demon who officiated as famulus in a monastery.
Traditions, Superstitions and Folk-lore
Charles Hardwick

British Dictionary definitions for famulus

famulus

noun plural -li (-ˌlaɪ)

(formerly) the attendant of a sorcerer or scholar

Word Origin for famulus

C19: from Latin: servant

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