major-domo

[ mey-jer-doh-moh ]
See synonyms for major-domo on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural ma·jor-do·mos.
  1. a man in charge of a great household, as that of a sovereign; a chief steward.

  2. a steward or butler.

  1. a person who makes arrangements for another.

Origin of major-domo

1
1580–90; <Spanish mayordomo<Medieval Latin majordomūs head of the house, equivalent to majormajor + domūs, genitive of domus house; see dome

Words Nearby major-domo

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use major-domo in a sentence

  • The Master of Ceremonies for the affair was dressed as the Royal Footman from Cinderella, Major Domo.

  • The major-domo (for it was he) bowed respectfully, for the chief huntsman's name was well known in Anjou.

    Chicot the Jester | Alexandre Dumas, Pere
  • Guards were everywhere and peons rode ahead to inform the major-domo, and he came riding like devils to meet Doña Dolores Terain.

    The Treasure Trail | Marah Ellis Ryan
  • The dining room was almost empty and the major-domo quickly rushed to the side of the relaxed stranger in the richly cut clothes.

    Deathworld | Harry Harrison
  • But I defy you to keep this from the Press, major domo: This is the most significant thing that has happened in our time.

  • The old colored man was quite seventy years of age, but still an erect and dignified major-domo.

    Peggy Stewart at School | Gabrielle E. Jackson

British Dictionary definitions for major-domo

major-domo

/ (ˌmeɪdʒəˈdəʊməʊ) /


nounplural -mos
  1. the chief steward or butler of a great household

  2. facetious a steward or butler

Origin of major-domo

1
C16: from Spanish mayordomo, from Medieval Latin mājor domūs head of the household

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