footman

[foot-muhn]

noun

plural

footmen 

1. a liveried servant who attends the door or carriage, waits on table, etc.

2. a metal stand before a fire, to keep something hot.

3. Archaic.,  an infantryman.

footman

/ ˈfʊtmən /

noun

1. a male servant, esp one in livery

2. a low four-legged metal stand used in a fireplace for utensils, etc

3. (formerly) a foot soldier

4. any of several arctiid moths related to the tiger moths, esp the common footman ( Eilema lurideola ), with yellowish hind wings and brown forewings with a yellow front stripe; they produce woolly bear larvae

Other Word Forms

• underfootman noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of footman¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, footman is from the Middle English word fotman. See foot, man

Example Sentences

Mr. Molesley endeared audiences with his hapless but well-meaning misadventures in the series, eventually transitioning from footman to local schoolteacher.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She was wondering if she should make a run for it before she was thrown out by a couple of big footmen.

Read more on Literature

Guy Hunting, a published author and previously a footman at Buckingham Palace, has been a resident for 14 years.

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Dru Marshall, 26, of Romsey, Hampshire, claimed to be a senior footman at Windsor Castle when he listed an "antler walking stick" for auction.

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Maybe he would pay the staff more, promote the Black footmen or at least give them some better treatment.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• server 
• waitperson 
• waitress