cupbearer

[ kuhp-bair-er ]

noun

1. a servant who fills and serves wine cups, as in a royal palace or at an elaborate banquet.

cupbearer

/ ˈkʌpˌbɛərə /

noun

1. an attendant who fills and serves wine cups, as in a royal household

Word History and Origins

Origin of cupbearer¹

First recorded in 1375–1425, cupbearer is from the Middle English word cuppe-berer. See cup, bearer

Example Sentences

Sometimes she appears as cupbearer to the gods; sometimes that office is held by Ganymede, a beautiful young Trojan prince who was seized and carried up to Olympus by Zeus’s eagle.

From Literature

In ancient Persia, a cupbearer would sip the wine — from a spoon so that his lips never touched the cup — before offering it to the king.

From New York Times

In prison, through interpreting the dreams of the cupbearer and baker and eventually the dreams of Pharaoh himself, Joseph rose to be the second in command in Egypt.

From Time

The poem’s typical setting would be a garden where a drinking party was served by a beautiful young cupbearer, but the love would be unrequited.

From Economist

“Pages and cupbearers. If die Great Masters make objection, explain to them that in Westerns it is a great honor for a child to be chosen to serve at court.”

From Literature