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minstrel

min·strel
M m

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [min-struh l]
    • /ˈmɪn strəl/
    • /ˈmɪn.strəl/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [min-struh l]
    • /ˈmɪn strəl/

Definitions of minstrel word

  • noun minstrel a medieval poet and musician who sang or recited while accompanying himself on a stringed instrument, either as a member of a noble household or as an itinerant troubadour. 1
  • noun minstrel a musician, singer, or poet. 1
  • noun minstrel one of a troupe of comedians, usually white men in blackface, presenting songs, jokes, etc., and portraying negative racial stereotypes. 1
  • noun minstrel A medieval singer or musician, especially one who sang or recited lyric or heroic poetry to a musical accompaniment for the nobility. 1
  • noun minstrel travelling performer 1
  • countable noun minstrel In medieval times, a minstrel was a singer and musician who travelled around and entertained noble families. 0

Information block about the term

Origin of minstrel

First appearance:

before 1175
One of the 8% oldest English words
1175-1225; Middle English ministrel < Old French < Late Latin ministeriālis servant (noun use of adj.); see ministerial

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Minstrel

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

minstrel popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 91% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

minstrel usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for minstrel

noun minstrel

  • troubadour — one of a class of medieval lyric poets who flourished principally in southern France from the 11th to 13th centuries, and wrote songs and poems of a complex metrical form in langue d'oc, chiefly on themes of courtly love. Compare trouvère.
  • poet — a person who composes poetry.
  • musician — a person who makes music a profession, especially as a performer of music.
  • bard — People sometimes refer to William Shakespeare as the Bard.
  • jongleur — (in medieval France and Norman England) an itinerant minstrel or entertainer who sang songs, often of his own composition, and told stories.

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See also

Matching words

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