chamberlain English · revision 1539

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1200}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈt͡ʃeɪmbəlɪn/ ''(UK)''; /ˈt͡ʃeɪmbɚlɪn/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|chaumberlein]], [[m|enm|chamberleng]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) [[bor|fro|chamberlenc|t=chamberlain, steward, treasurer]] (modern [[fr|chambellan]]),^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) [[der|frk|*kamerling]],^(AHD)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(Klein 1966) compare [[goh|chamarling]],^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)^(Klein 1966) from [[m|goh|chamara|t=chamber]], from [[la-lat|camera|t=vault; room]] (see [[chamber]]), and the suffix that gives English [[-ling]].^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An attendant on a lord or king in his bedchamber, and an officer in charge of the private chambers of a sovereign or noble (before 1200 in Barnhart; 1297 in the OED).^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ By the time the word reached English it had already been applied to important royal officers, especially the keeper of the treasure chamber.^(Etymonline) From the 15th century it meant the steward of a king or noble,^(Hoad 1986) and an officer who receives the rents and revenues of a city or corporation, a treasurer (1424).^(OED 1989)^(RHWU) One of the great officers of state is the Lord Great Chamberlain of England.^(OED 1989) An inn servant in charge of the bedrooms was also called a chamberlain.^(MWU 2024)^(RHWU) In the Roman Catholic Church it is an often honorary papal attendant.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1200 – ''chamberleng''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * c. 1250 – ''chaumberlein''.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1297 – an officer of the royal chambers.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1424 – a treasurer of a city or corporation.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An officer who manages the household of a sovereign or noble; a chief [[steward]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A high-ranking official in various royal courts.^(AHD)^(RHWU)

+ # An official who receives the rents and revenues of a [[municipality]]; a [[treasurer]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An often honorary papal attendant.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(archaic)'' An attendant at an inn in charge of the bedrooms.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[underchamberlain]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[chamber]]

+ * [[camera]]

+ * [[camerlengo]]

+ * [[-ling]]

+ * [[comrade]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}