From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Chamberlain \Cham"ber*lain\, n. [OF. chamberlain, chambrelencF.
chambellon, OHG. chamerling, chamarlinc, G. k[aum]mmerling,
kammer chamber (fr. L. camera) + -ling. See {Chamber}, and
{-ling}.] [Formerly written {chamberlin}.]
1. An officer or servant who has charge of a chamber or
chambers.
[1913 Webster]
2. An upper servant of an inn. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
3. An officer having the direction and management of the
private chambers of a nobleman or monarch; hence, in
Europe, one of the high officers of a court.
[1913 Webster]
4. A treasurer or receiver of public money; as, the
chamberlain of London, of North Wales, etc.
[1913 Webster]
{The lord chamberlain of England}, an officer of the crown,
who waits upon the sovereign on the day of coronation, and
provides requisites for the palace of Westminster, and for
the House of Lords during the session of Parliament. Under
him are the gentleman of the black rod and other officers.
His office is distinct from that of the lord chamberlain
of the Household, whose functions relate to the royal
housekeeping.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
Chamberlain
n 1: British statesman who as Prime Minister pursued a policy of
appeasement toward fascist Germany (1869-1940) [syn:
{Chamberlain}, {Neville Chamberlain}, {Arthur Neville
Chamberlain}]
2: the treasurer of a municipal corporation
3: an officer who manages the household of a king or nobleman
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