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housecarl

[hous-kahrl]
noun
  1. a member of the household troops or bodyguard of a Danish or early English king or noble.
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Origin of housecarl

before 1050; Middle English; late Old English hūscarl < Danish hūskarl. See house, carl
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for housecarl

Historical Examples

  • "That, I take it, is a hint that you might like to be a housecarl of the king's," he said.

    Havelok The Dane

    Charles Whistler

  • And presently I thought that I might do worse than be a housecarl for a time, if Eglaf would have me.

    Havelok The Dane

    Charles Whistler

  • Odin, how good it is to meet a housecarl who speaks as man to man and does not cringe to me!

    Havelok The Dane

    Charles Whistler

  • Good it has been to have you here; and I think that I shall see you as a housecarl for good yet.

    Havelok The Dane

    Charles Whistler

  • "Now is East Anglia mine in truth," he said; and with that he bade the housecarl fetch Curan, the cook's porter, to him.

    Havelok The Dane

    Charles Whistler

British Dictionary definitions for housecarl

housecarl

noun
  1. (in medieval Europe) a household warrior of Danish kings and noblemen
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Word Origin

Old English hūscarl, from Old Norse hūskarl manservant, from hūs house + karl man; see churl
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