butler
/'bʌtlə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- English poet (1612-1680)
- English novelist who described a fictitious land he called Erewhon (1835-1902)
- a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table