Manservant: meaning, definitions and examples
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manservant
[ ˈmænˌsɜrvənt ]
service role
A manservant is a male servant, typically employed to serve in a domestic capacity, looking after the needs of a household. Historically, manservants were associated with upper-class households. They were responsible for various chores, including waiting, cooking, and other personal services.
Synonyms
attendant, butler, servant, valet
Examples of usage
- The wealthy family hired a manservant to assist with their daily needs.
- The manservant prepared the evening meal for the guests.
- In historical dramas, manservants often provide comic relief.
- The lord of the manor relied heavily on his loyal manservant.
- A well-trained manservant can anticipate the needs of the household.
Translations
Translations of the word "manservant" in other languages:
🇵🇹 moço de serviços
🇮🇳 नौकर
🇩🇪 Diener
🇮🇩 pelayan pria
🇺🇦 чоловічий слуга
🇵🇱 sługa
🇯🇵 男従者
🇫🇷 valet
🇪🇸 sirviente
🇹🇷 erkek hizmetçi
🇰🇷 남자 하인
🇸🇦 خادم ذكر
🇨🇿 mužský sluha
🇸🇰 mužský sluha
🇨🇳 男仆
🇸🇮 moški služabnik
🇮🇸 karlmaður þjónn
🇰🇿 ер адам қызметшісі
🇬🇪 მამაკაცის მსახური
🇦🇿 kişi xidmətçi
🇲🇽 sirviente
Etymology
The term 'manservant' emerged in the English language during the Late Middle Ages. It combines 'man' and 'servant', with 'man' referring to an adult male, and 'servant' originating from the Old French word 'servent'. This word has roots in the Latin 'serviens', the present participle of 'servire', meaning 'to serve'. The role of a manservant evolved over centuries, often symbolizing status and wealth within aristocratic households. In earlier times, such figures were crucial in managing household affairs and ensuring that the needs of the family were met. Over time, the prevalence of manservants diminished with social changes and the rise of more egalitarian structures in society.