minstrel
Noun · VerbWordNet 3.0
Noun (2)
- a singer of folk songsSynonyms: folk singerjongleurpoet-singertroubadour
- a performer in a minstrel show
Verb (1)
- celebrate by singing, in the style of minstrels
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Minstrel \Min"strel\, n. [OE. minstrel, menestral, OF. menestrel, fr. LL. ministerialis servant, workman (cf. ministrellus harpist), fr. L. ministerium service. See Ministry, and cf. Ministerial.] In the Middle Ages, one of an order of men who subsisted by the arts of poetry and music, and sang verses to the accompaniment of a harp or other instrument; in modern times, a poet; a bard; a singer and harper; a musician. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
The Devil's Dictionary
MINSTREL, adj. Formerly a poet, singer or musician; now a nigger with a color less than skin deep and a humor more than flesh and blood can bear.