Minstrel
['mɪnstr(ə)l] or ['mɪnstrəl]
Definition
(noun.) a performer in a minstrel show.
(verb.) celebrate by singing, in the style of minstrels.
Editor: Sasha--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) In the Middle Ages, one of an order of men who subsisted by the arts of poetry and music, and sang verses to the accompaniment of a harp or other instrument; in modern times, a poet; a bard; a singer and harper; a musician.
Typed by Angelo
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Musician, singer, bard.
Inputed by Giles
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Singer, musician, bard
Inputed by Elisabeth
Definition
n. one of an order of men who sang to the harp verses composed by themselves or others: a musician: one of a class of performers with blackened faces of negro songs.—n. Min′strelsy the art or occupation of a minstrel: a company or body of minstrels: a collection of songs: (Chaucer) instrumental music.
Inputed by Isabella
Unserious Contents or Definition
adj. Formerly a poet singer or musician; now a nigger with a color less than skin deep and a humor more than flesh and blood can bear.
Checker: Roy
Unserious Contents or Definition
A footlight foul that makes its nightly lay in every city.
Checker: Osbert
Examples
- Friar Tuck, said the Minstrel, drawing him apart from the rustics; we have started a new hare, I find. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- The Muse of Music, Miss Halcombe, deserts us in dismay, and I, the fat old minstrel, exhale the rest of my enthusiasm in the open air! Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- As to the little minstrel, he probably prefers encountering the Philistines with no other weapon than his flute. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Your heart is a lyre, Robert; but the lot of your life has not been a minstrel to sweep it, and it is often silent. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Richard, a professed admirer of the joyous science in all its branches, could imitate either the minstrel or troubadour. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- By Saint Hubert, said the Minstrel, but it is a wondrous tale, and fit to be put in metre to the ancient tune, 'Sorrow came to the old Friar. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- That last part of thy speech, Dennet, said the Minstrel, has saved thee a rib or twain. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- I pray you, Sir Knight, said Rowena, to cease a language so commonly used by strolling minstrels, that it becomes not the mouth of knights or nobles. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- They survived, indeed, in Europe as the minstrels into the Middle Ages. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The French minstrels are not silent on so popular a theme. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
Checked by Leon