major-domo

American  

[mey-jer-doh-moh] / ˌmeɪ dʒərˈdoʊ moʊ /

noun

plural

major-domos

1. a man in charge of a great household, as that of a sovereign; a chief steward.

2. a steward or butler.

3. a person who makes arrangements for another.

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major-domo British  

/ ˌmeɪdʒəˈdəʊməʊ /

noun

1. the chief steward or butler of a great household

2. facetious a steward or butler

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Etymology

Origin of major-domo

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

Example Sentences

Proteins, of course; RNA acts as the major-domo, a bridge between the castes.

From The Wall Street Journal

As for the Rangers, the boxing promoter and major-domo of Madison Square Garden back in the 1920s was a fellow named Tex Rickard.

From New York Times

So a man called Bellamy — or is it his doppelgänger, Bollany? — accompanies Swan on the piano and serves as his awkward, temporizing major-domo.

From New York Times

The atmosphere in the packed theater Sunday night had a comedy-club vibe, aided by the energy and charm of Veneziale, the smooth operator who both raps and serves as a kind of major-domo.

From Washington Post

With five minutes before takeoff, the captain came to usher me to the plane, where I was met by Robbins’s aeronautic major-domo, Ariane, a tall, well-seasoned flight attendant in a gray business-suit uniform.

From New York Times

Related Words

• administrator
• attendant
• curator
• waiter