Minstrel

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Audiendus
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Minstrel

Postby Audiendus » Fri Apr 14, 2023 8:03 pm

minstrel

From Latin, Medieval Latin, and Old French. Originally a servant (compare minister), then an entertainer of any kind, then specifically a musician.

Minister is related to the Latin adverb minus (less), just as master (from Latin magister) is related to magis (more). Master and servant – respectively 'more' and 'less'.

bbeeton
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Re: Minstrel

Postby bbeeton » Sat Apr 15, 2023 9:40 am

Minstrel appears to be related to "minster", as in York Minster (a beautiful cathedral). However "minster" is derived from "monastery". But monks were/are "servants of God", so there still seems to be some sort of relationship.

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Slava
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Re: Minstrel

Postby Slava » Sat Apr 15, 2023 12:36 pm

Probably not related to the Munsters, though.

I gather monk started out from a root meaning 'lone', thus a religious hermit.
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