minstrel

• n. 歌手，藝人；吟遊詩人

來自拉丁語minister,仆人，王室隨從，在古法語時期引申詞義小醜，弄臣，後用於指歌手，樂伎，遊吟詩人等。

minstrel

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.

1. The Negro minstrel is touring the country.

那個黑人歌舞團正在全國各地巡回演出.

來自《簡明英漢詞典》

2. A strong love has sprung up between the minstrel and the king.

於是吟遊詩人與國王之間就產生了深厚的感情.

來自辭典例句

3. The young minstrel had a rare, rich voice.

這個青年歌手有一幅稀有的嘹亮嗓音.

來自辭典例句

4. The first of all the negro minstrel shows came to town, and made a sensation.

一流的黑人演奏隊來到了這個小鎮, 引起了轟動.

來自英漢文學 - 湯姆曆險

5. The minstrel had been to many places before he came here.

在來到這裏之前,這個吟遊詩人已經去過很多地方.

來自互聯網