Butler

Pronunciation

• enPR: bÅ­tʹ-lÉ™r, IPA: /ˈbÊŒtləɹ/
• UK IPA: ˈbÊŒt.lÉ™(ɹ)
• US IPA: ˈbÊŒt.lÉš
• Rhymes: -ÊŒtlÉ™(ɹ)
• Hyphenation: but + ler

Origin

From Old French butiller ("officer in charge of wine").

Etymonline

See bottle.

Full definition of butler

Noun

1. A manservant having charge of wines and liquors.
2. The chief male servant of a household who has charge of other employees, receives guests, directs the serving of meals, and performs various personal services.
• 1929, Baldwyn Dyke Acland, Filibuster, Chapter 2“One marble hall, with staircase complete, one butler and three flunkeys to receive a retired sojer who dares to ring the bell. D'you know, old boy, I gave my bowler to the butler, whangee to one flunkey, gloves to another, and there was the fourth poor blighter looking like an orphan at a Mothers' Meeting. …"
3. A valet, a male personal attendant.

Derived terms

• buttle backformation

Verb

1. To buttle, to dispense wines or liquors; to take the place of a butler.