butler

¹

[ buht-ler ]

noun

1. the chief male servant of a household, usually in charge of serving food, the care of silverware, etc.
2. a male servant having charge of the wines and liquors.
3. a tray or other receptacle used to serve drinks or food.

verb (used with object)

1. to serve (drinks, hors d’oeuvres, etc.) by walking around among guests:

   Our waitstaff will butler cocktails on silver trays. The butlered appetizers are all gluten-free.

Butler

²

[ buht-ler ]

noun

1. Benjamin Franklin, 1818–93, U.S. politician and a Union general in the Civil War.
2. Joseph, 1692–1752, English bishop, theologian, and author.
3. Nicholas Murray, 1862–1947, U.S. educator: president of Columbia University 1902–45; Nobel Peace Prize 1931.
4. Pierce, 1866–1939, U.S. jurist: associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court 1923–39.
5. Samuel, 1612–80, English poet.
6. Samuel, 1835–1902, English novelist, essayist, and satirist.
7. Smedley Dar·ling·ton [smed, -lee , dahr, -ling-t, uh, n], 1881–1940, U.S. Marine Corps general.
8. a city in W Pennsylvania.

butler

¹

/ ˈbʌtlə /

noun

1. the male servant of a household in charge of the wines, table, etc: usually the head servant

Butler

²

/ ˈbʌtlə /

noun

1. ButlerJoseph16921752MEnglishRELIGION: bishopRELIGION: theologianWRITING: author Joseph . 1692–1752, English bishop and theologian, author of Analogy of Religion (1736)
2. ButlerJosephine (Elizabeth)18281906FBritishSOCIAL SCIENCE: social reformer Josephine ( Elizabeth ). 1828–1906, British social reformer, noted esp for her campaigns against state regulation of prostitution
3. ButlerReg19131981MBritishARTS AND CRAFTS: sculptor Reg , full name Reginald Cotterell Butler . 1913–81, British metal sculptor; his works include The Unknown Political Prisoner (1953)
4. ButlerR(ichard) A(usten), Baron Butler of Saffron Walden19021982MBritishPOLITICS: statesman R ( ichard ) A ( usten ), Baron Butler of Saffron Walden, known as Rab Butler . 1902–82, British Conservative politician: Chancellor of the Exchequer (1951–55); Home Secretary (1957–62); Foreign Secretary (1963–64)
5. ButlerSamuel16121680MEnglishWRITING: poetWRITING: satirist Samuel . 1612–80, English poet and satirist; author of Hudibras (1663–78)
6. ButlerSamuel18351902MBritishWRITING: novelist Samuel . 1835–1902, British novelist, noted for his satirical work Erewhon (1872) and his autobiographical novel The Way of All Flesh (1903)

Other Words From

• butler·like adjective
• butler·ship noun
• under·butler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of butler¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English buteler, from Anglo-French butuiller, Old French bouteillier, from Medieval Latin butticulārius, derivative of butticula ; bottle ¹, -er ², -ier ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of butler¹

C13: from Old French bouteillier , from bouteille bottle ¹

Example Sentences

However, that wouldn't be enough to afford their Bel Air mansion, let alone a butler and private school tuition for three kids.

From Salon

As Kate Andersen Brower, author of “The Residence,” noted, the White House housed approximately 90 support staff — individuals like butlers and engineers — whose contributions were frequently overlooked.

From Salon

Its blonde star, Jean Harlow, is playing a blonde star, Lola Burns, and in one scene, her butler hands her a glass of juice and she takes a sip.

From Los Angeles Times

He was also well known as the voice of Aloysius Parker, the butler and chauffeur in 1960s TV series Thunderbirds and its film sequels.

From BBC

"The most annoying thing is that people think I have a butler," the 30-year-old American said on Monday.

From BBC