chamberlain
nounUK /ˈt͡ʃeɪmbəlɪn/ · CA, US /ˈt͡ʃeɪmbɚlɪn/
Etymology From Middle English chamberlein, chaumberlein, chaumberleyn, from Anglo-Norman chamberlenc, Old French chamberlayn, chamberlenc (“chamberlain”), from Frankish *kamarling (“chamberlain”), equivalent to *kamer (“chamber”) + *-ling (“-ling”). Cognate with Old High German chamarling (“chamberlain”). Compare also Late Latin camerārius and comrade. More at chamber, -ling.
A senior royal official in charge of superintending the arrangement of domestic affairs and often charged with receiving and paying out money kept in the royal chamber, especially in the United Kingdom and in Denmark.
A high officer of state, as currently with the papal camerlengo, but normally now a mainly honorary title.
Obsolete An upper servant of an inn.
- Derived terms
- archchamberlain, chamberlaincy, chamberlainry, chamberlainship, Lord Chamberlain, underchamberlain
- Related terms
- royal household