seneschal

American  

[sen-uh-shuhl] / ˈsɛn ə ʃəl /

noun

1. an officer having full charge of domestic arrangements, ceremonies, the administration of justice, etc., in the household of a medieval prince or dignitary; steward.

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seneschal British  

/ ˈsɛnɪʃəl /

noun

1. a steward of the household of a medieval prince or nobleman who took charge of domestic arrangements, etc

2. a cathedral official

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Etymology

Origin of seneschal

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Frankish; compare Medieval Latin seniscalcus senior servant, cognate with Old High German senescalh ( sene- old, senior + scalh servant)

Example Sentences

Ostgardr has about 200 members who pay annual dues and hundreds more who regularly attend events, said Piglet Evans, the province’s seneschal, or president.

From New York Times • Dec. 23, 2018

The shire’s seneschal, Aaron Cohen, 39, helped coordinate event logistics even while keeping his cellphone stashed away in a period-correct leather pouch.

From New York Times • Dec. 23, 2018

So the news that his seneschal is called Mr Senecal was only to be expected.

From The Guardian • Mar. 17, 2016

Each district is commanded by a "knight" who appoints a "seneschal" in every Sunday School in the district.

From Time Magazine Archive

She beckoned to Reznak mo Reznak, and the seneschal scurried to her side.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Related Words

• administrator
• attendant
• curator
• waiter