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• goodman
  goodman

  noun

  the master of a household; husband.
• Goodman
  Goodman

  noun

  Benjamin David Benny, 1909–86, U.S. jazz clarinetist and bandleader.

goodman

¹ American  

[good-muhn] / ˈgʊd mən /

noun

Archaic.

goodmen plural

1. the master of a household; husband.

2. (initial capital letter) a title of respect used for a man below the rank of gentleman, especially a farmer or yeoman.

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Goodman ² American  

[good-muhn] / ˈgʊd mən /

noun

1. Benjamin David Benny, 1909–86, U.S. jazz clarinetist and bandleader.

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goodman ¹ British  

/ ˈɡʊdmən /

noun

1. a husband

2. a man not of gentle birth: used as a title

3. a master of a household

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Goodman ² British  

/ ˈɡʊdmən /

noun

1. Benny, full name Benjamin David Goodman. 1909–86, US jazz clarinetist and bandleader, whose treatment of popular songs created the jazz idiom known as swing

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Etymology

Origin of goodman

Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; see origin at good, -man

Example Sentences

Both Manuel Quezon and goodman Osme�a were mum last week.

From Time Magazine Archive

The wyfe of the house runnes out with her goodman to intreat the Counstable for her gestes, and leaues the Pyg at the fyre alone.

From The Rogues and Vagabonds of Shakespeare's Youth Awdeley's 'Fraternitye of vacabondes' and Harman's 'Caveat' by Awdeley, John

The price of wheat, goodman Dickon?—how fatten your pigs?—will the fine weather last, think you?

From Judith Shakespeare Her love affairs and other adventures by Black, William

But was she to be again balked by goodman Matthew?

From Judith Shakespeare Her love affairs and other adventures by Black, William

Mary Howitt, in her poem, The Poor Man's Garden, has this verse:— "And here on Sabbath mornings The goodman comes to get His Sunday nosegay—Moss Rose bud, White Pink, and Mignonette."

From Old-Time Gardens Newly Set Forth by Earle, Alice Morse

Related Words

• head of the house
• householder