sumpter

[ suhmp-ter ]

/ ˈsʌmp tər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR sumpter ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a packhorse or mule.

Nearby words

sump drain, sump pump, sump syndrome, sumph, sumpsimus, sumpter, sumptuary, sumptuary law, sumptuary laws, sumptuous, sumptuously

Origin of sumpter

1275–1325; Middle English sompter < Old French sometier pack-horse driver < Vulgar Latin *saumatārius, equivalent to Latin sagmat- (stem of sagma; see summer²) + -ārius -ary

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sumpter

"O, because she resembles a sister I lost," returned Sumpter after a brief hesitation.
Eventide|Effie Afton
In the midst of the men-at-arms were sumpter mules carrying the ecclesiastical purtenances of the bishop.
Pabo, The Priest|Sabine Baring-Gould
We therefore retired to our camp, which had not been left by the sumpter beasts, and then we prepared our midday meal.
Freeland|Theodor Hertzka
Sumpter had reached the banks of the Tyger, when the firing of his videttes announced the approach of his enemy.
The Life of George Washington, Vol. 3 (of 5)|John Marshall

Sumpter hurried forth, and the carriage rattled away over the rough road of Scraggiewood.
Eventide|Effie Afton

British Dictionary definitions for sumpter

sumpter

/ (ˈsʌmptə) /

noun

archaic a packhorse, mule, or other beast of burden

Word Origin for sumpter

C14: from Old French sometier driver of a baggage horse, from Vulgar Latin sagmatārius (unattested), from Late Latin sagma packsaddle

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

Word Origin and History for sumpter

sumpter

early 14c., "driver of a pack horse," from Old French sommetier, from Vulgar Latin *sagmatarius "a pack horse driver," from Late Latin sagmat- "a pack, burden," stem of sagma "packsaddle," from Greek sagma, probably related to sattein "to pack, press, stuff." Used from mid-15c. of horses and mules for carrying loads.