minstrelsy

English

Etymology

From Middle English minstralcie, from 13th century Anglo-Norman menestralsie, menestralcie Old French menestrel (“minstrel”), itself from Medieval Latin ministralis (“servant, jester, singer”), from Late Latin ministerialis (“imperial household officer, one having an official duty”), from the adjective ministerialis (“ministerial, servants”), from Latin ministerium (“service”).

Noun

minstrelsy (countable and uncountable, plural minstrelsies)

The musical and other art and craft of a minstrel.
A group of minstrels.
Any similar modern group performing song and verse.
A collection of minstrel ballads.

Quotations

For quotations of use of this term, see Citations:minstrelsy.

Translations

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