castellan

[ kas-tl-n, ka-stel-uhn ]

noun
  1. the governor of a castle.

Origin of castellan

1
1350–1400; <Medieval Latin castellānus (noun) governor, occupant of a castle, (adj.) of a castle (Latin: of a fortress), equivalent to castell(um) castellum, castle + -ānus-an; replacing Middle English castelain<Old North French <Latin, as above

Other words from castellan

  • cas·tel·lan·ship, noun

Words Nearby castellan

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How to use castellan in a sentence

  • Savello said he would speak to the Countess and make her order the castellan to open his gates.

    The Making of a Saint | William Somerset Maugham
  • Checco disapproved, but the priest overruled him, and the castellan was summoned again, and ordered to admit the Countess.

    The Making of a Saint | William Somerset Maugham
  • The castellan had turned his cannon on the houses surrounding the fortress, and the damage was terrible.

    The Making of a Saint | William Somerset Maugham
  • castellan and Biggen, the notaries, certify to a much larger amount in the Three per Cents.

    Roland Cashel | Charles James Lever
  • Eccellenza; by order of the castellan, none may pass, save those who give the word.

    The Royal Pawn of Venice | Mrs. Lawrence Turnbull

British Dictionary definitions for castellan

castellan

/ (ˈkæstɪlən) /


noun
  1. rare a keeper or governor of a castle: Also called: chatelain

Origin of castellan

1
C14: from Latin castellānus, from castellum castle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012