Definition

1. Noun:
   • A manservant, typically the chief male servant of a household, responsible for managing the wine cellar, dining service, and often supervising other staff. This is the primary and most common meaning.
   • A surname, notably of two English writers. This is a proper noun usage, referring specifically to Samuel Butler (1612-1680), a poet, and Samuel Butler (1835-1902), a novelist.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Chief Servant):

  • The butler announced that dinner was served.
  • In large estates, the butler was responsible for the wine and silver.
  • She rang for the butler to clear the table.

• Noun (Proper Name):

  • "Erewhon" is a satirical novel by Samuel Butler.
  • The 17th-century poet Samuel Butler is best known for "Hudibras".

Advanced Usage

• "The butler did it": A cliché or trope in mystery fiction, suggesting the culprit in a crime is the household's butler, often used ironically.
  • The plot was so predictable; it turned out the butler did it.

Variants and Related Words

• Butler's pantry (noun): A small room between the kitchen and dining room used for storing serving items and as a staging area for meals.
  • The fine china was kept in the butler's pantry.

Synonyms

• Steward: A person who manages another's property or financial affairs; sometimes used for a head servant.
• Majordomo: The chief steward or butler of a great household.
• Valet: A personal manservant who takes care of a man's clothes and appearance. (Note: A valet's duties are more personal, while a butler's are more household-oriented.)

Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

(Beyond the advanced usage example, there are no common idioms centered solely on the word "butler.")

Noun

1. English poet (1612-1680)
2. English novelist who described a fictitious land he called Erewhon (1835-1902)
3. a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table