minstrel: [13] Originally minstrel, like its close relative minister, denoted a ‘servant’. Its musical associations are a comparatively recent development. It goes back ultimately to late Latin ministeriālis ‘official’, a derivative of Latin ministerium (source of English ministry). Old French took it over as menestral, and it was here that a gradual specialization in meaning took place, from ‘servant’ via ‘entertainer’ to ‘singer’. => minister
minstrel (n.)
early 13c., from Old French menestrel "entertainer, poet, musician; servant, workman; good-for-nothing, rogue," from Medieval Latin ministralis "servant, jester, singer," from Late Latin ministerialem (nominative ministerialis) "imperial household officer, one having an official duty," from ministerialis (adj.) "ministerial," from Latin ministerium (see ministry). The connecting notion is via the jester, etc., as a court position.
Specific sense of "musician" developed in Old French, but in English until 16c. the word was used of anyone (singers, storytellers, jugglers, buffoons) whose profession was to entertain patrons. Only in 18c. was the word limited, in a historical sense, to "medieval singer of heroic or lyric poetry who accompanied himself on a stringed instrument." Reference to blackface music acts in U.S. is from 1843.
实用例句
1. The Negro minstrel is touring the country.
那个黑人歌舞团正在全国各地巡回演出.
来自《简明英汉词典》
2. A strong love has sprung up between the minstrel and the king.
于是吟游诗人与国王之间就产生了深厚的感情.
来自辞典例句
3. The young minstrel had a rare, rich voice.
这个青年歌手有一幅稀有的嘹亮嗓音.
来自辞典例句
4. The first of all the negro minstrel shows came to town, and made a sensation.
一流的黑人演奏队来到了这个小镇, 引起了轰动.
来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险
5. The minstrel had been to many places before he came here.
