steward

views updated

steward officer of a (royal) household OE.; high administrative officer XIV; ship's officer who keeps stores, etc.; (Sc. hist.) magistrate administering crown lands XV. OE. stiġweard, stīweard, f. stiġ (prob.) house, hall (cf. *stiġwita householder, and STY2) + weard WARD1.

More From encyclopedia.com