minstrel Hear it!

minstrel Definition

min·strel (min′strəl)

noun

  1. any of a medieval class of entertainers who traveled from place to place: known esp. for singing and reciting to musical accompaniment
  2. Old Poet. a poet, singer, or musician
  3. ☆ a performer in a minstrel show

Etymology: ME menestrel < OFr, minstrel, servant, orig., official < LL ministerialis, imperial officer < L ministerium, ministry

minstrel Synonyms

minstrel

n.

ballad singer, balladeer, bard, minnesinger, troubadour, jongleur, street singer, songsmith, trovatore (Italian), trouvère (French), Meistersinger (German); see also musician, poet.

minstrel Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • wander: Singing Sam was a wandering minstrel who lived about 250 years ago.
  • stroll: Special markets are held each Bank Holiday when you might bump into morris dancers, strolling minstrels, jugglers and story tellers.
  • travel: In a nutshell - " a traveling minstrel with a down to earth message " .
  • uncover: It was not long until the dogs uncovered the minstrel on the banks of the Tyne and tore him to pieces.
  • sing: After the war he returned to the city where he was born, Manchester, and joined a local group of singing minstrels.

Preposition: on

bank: It was not long until the dogs uncovered the minstrel on the banks of the Tyne and tore him to pieces.

Adjective modifier

  • medieval: Performs wherever people will listen to him: " Like a wandering medieval minstrel, he's bringing his art to the people.
  • last: The Lay of the Last Minstrel First Edition, First Impression: The Lay of the Last Minstrel: A Poem.
  • white: Role Types: white, Mediterranean, Goth, black and white minstrel.
  • blind: The U.M. next meets up with the spirit of the blind minstrel, Ayreon.
  • modern: He is a modern minstrel with gentle wit, sensitive vocals, and wicked guitar skills.
  • old: Our earliest historical records of Robin Hood are in the old minstrels ' songs, which have been passed down as poetry.

Modifies a noun

  • gallery: You can still see in some churches the remains of minstrel galleries.
  • show: The first minstrel show is thought to have taken place in Boston, in 1843.
  • song: On Boxing day and New Year's Day, an old tradition is to don blackface and parade through the town singing minstrel songs.
  • boy: Mr Steger's rendering of " On with the Motley " called for an encore, and " A minstrel boy " followed.
  • condom: Minstrels condoms - Melt in your mouth, not your hands.

Noun used with modifier

pop: Dave Simpson on the merry band of pop minstrels Thursday June 29, 2006 The Guardian Tricking time.. .

Possessives

gallery: For more intimate dinners of around 40, the College also has a beautiful 17th century dining hall with minstrel's gallery.

Preposition: in

return: The English minstrels in return helped themselves from their brethren over the Border, and we have popular poetry in England from Scottish sources.