chamberlain

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: cham=ber=lain

CIDE DICTIONARY

chamberlain, n. [OF. chamberlain, chambrelencF. chambellon, OHG. chamerling, chamarlinc, G. kämmerling, kammer chamber (fr. L. camera) + -ling. See Chamber, and -ling.].

•  An officer or servant who has charge of a chamber or chambers.  [1913 Webster]
•  An upper servant of an inn.  [1913 Webster]
•  An officer having the direction and management of the private chambers of a nobleman or monarch; hence, in Europe, one of the high officers of a court.  [1913 Webster]
•  A treasurer or receiver of public money; as, the chamberlain of London, of North Wales, etc.  [1913 Webster]

The lord chamberlain of England, an officer of the crown, who waits upon the sovereign on the day of coronation, and provides requisites for the palace of Westminster, and for the House of Lords during the session of Parliament. Under him are the gentleman of the black rod and other officers. His office is distinct from that of the lord chamberlain of the Household, whose functions relate to the royal housekeeping.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

chamberlain, n.
1 an officer managing the household of a sovereign or a great noble.
2 the treasurer of a corporation etc.

Idiom

Lord Chamberlain (of the Household) the official in charge of the Royal Household, formerly the licenser of plays. Lord Great Chamberlain of England the hereditary holder of a ceremonial office.

Derivative

chamberlainship n.

Etymology

ME f. OF chamberlain etc. f. Frank. f. L camera CAMERA

THESAURUS

chamberlain

accountant, auditor, bookkeeper, bursar, butler, cashier, cashkeeper, comptroller, controller, curator, depositary, depository, financial officer, house steward, housekeeper, liquidator, majordomo, paymaster, purse bearer, purser, receiver, seneschal, steward, treasurer, trustee

ROGET THESAURUS

chamberlain

Servant

N servant, subject, liegeman, servant, retainer, follower, henchman, servitor, domestic, menial, help, lady help, employe, attache, official, retinue, suite, cortege, staff, court, attendant, squire, usher, page, donzel, footboy, train bearer, cup bearer, waiter, lapster, butler, livery servant, lackey, footman, flunky, flunkey, valet, valet de chambre, equerry, groom, jockey, hostler, ostler, tiger, orderly, messenger, cad, gillie, herdsman, swineherd, barkeeper, bartender, bell boy, boots, boy, counterjumper, khansamah, khansaman, khitmutgar, yardman, bailiff, castellan, seneschal, chamberlain, major-domo, groom of the chambers, secretary, under secretary, assistant secretary, clerk, subsidiary, agent, subaltern, underling, understrapper, man, maid, maidservant, handmaid, confidente, lady's maid, abigail, soubrette, amah, biddy, nurse, bonne, ayah, nursemaid, nursery maid, house maid, parlor maid, waiting maid, chamber maid, kitchen maid, scullery maid, femme de chambre, femme fille, camarista, chef de cuisine, cordon bleu, cook, scullion, Cinderella, potwalloper, maid of all work, servant of all work, laundress, bedmaker, journeyman, charwoman, bearer, chokra, gyp (Cambridge), hamal, scout (Oxford), serf, vassal, slave, negro, helot, bondsman, bondswoman, bondslave, ame damnee, odalisque, ryot, adscriptus gleboe, villian, villein, beadsman, bedesman, sizar, pensioner, pensionary, client, dependant, dependent, hanger on, satellite, parasite, led captain, protege, ward, hireling, mercenary, puppet, tool, creature, badge of slavery, bonds, in the train of, in one's pay, in one's employ, at one's call, in bonds.