| Minstrel | n. [ OE. minstrel, menestral, OF. menestrel, fr. LL. ministerialis servant, workman (cf. ministrellus harpist), fr. L. ministerium service. See Ministry, and cf. Ministerial. ] In the Middle Ages, one of an order of men who subsisted by the arts of poetry and music, and sang verses to the accompaniment of a harp or other instrument; in modern times, a poet; a bard; a singer and harper; a musician. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Minstrelsy | n. 1. The arts and occupation of minstrels; the singing and playing of a minstrel. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Musical instruments. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A collective body of minstrels, or musicians; also, a collective body of minstrels' songs. Chaucer. “The minstrelsy of heaven.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] |
