yeoman

[ yoh-muhn ]

noun

, plural yeo·men.

1. a petty officer in a navy, having chiefly clerical duties in the U.S. Navy.
2. British. a farmer who cultivates his own land.
3. History/Historical. one of a class of lesser freeholders, below the gentry, who cultivated their own land, early admitted in England to political rights.
4. Archaic.
   1. a servant, attendant, or subordinate official in a royal or other great household.
   2. a subordinate or assistant, as of a sheriff or other official or in a craft or trade.

adjective

1. of, pertaining to, composed of, or characteristic of yeomen:

   the yeoman class.

2. performed or rendered in a loyal, valiant, useful, or workmanlike manner, especially in situations that involve a great deal of effort or labor:

   He did a yeoman job on the problem.

yeoman

/ ˈjəʊmən /

noun

1. history
   1. a member of a class of small freeholders of common birth who cultivated their own land
   2. an assistant or other subordinate to an official, such as a sheriff, or to a craftsman or trader
   3. an attendant or lesser official in a royal or noble household
2. See yeoman of the guard
   (in Britain) another name for yeoman of the guard
3. modifier characteristic of or relating to a yeoman
4. a petty officer or noncommissioned officer in the Royal Navy or Marines in charge of signals

Word History and Origins

Origin of yeoman¹

1300–50; Middle English yeman, yoman, probably reduced forms of yengman, yongman, yungman, with similar sense; young, man

Word History and Origins

Origin of yeoman¹

C15: perhaps from yongman young man

Example Sentences

These yeomen remained committed to Protestant liberty and the defense of community members.

From Time

The rise of the yeoman class in Britain was particularly critical in foreshadowing the evolution of America.

From The Daily Beast

All this suggests what could be seen as the proletarianization of the yeoman class.

From The Daily Beast

This low turnout is remarkable given how unfavorably Obama is viewed by much of the yeoman class.

From The Daily Beast

It is small, fits easily in a standard kitchen utility drawer, and does yeoman duty when called upon.

From The Daily Beast

Dorothy led Jack off to the stable, and the half-frozen yeoman turned in to enjoy his cheerful fire.

From Project Gutenberg

But during the retreat he led the van and did yeoman service in restoring order among the disheartened troops.

From Project Gutenberg

Thorstein was the yeoman who dwelt there & he gave them shelter and good cheer for the night, and there they slept in good beds.

From Project Gutenberg

Then all who were present fell to laughing, so that the yeoman sat himself down again.

From Project Gutenberg

Up to this moment Meadows had treated Mr. Clinton with a marked deference, as from yeoman to gentleman.

From Project Gutenberg