maitre d'hotel
1530s, "head domestic, master or superintendent of the table in a mansion," from French maître d'hôtel, literally "house-master," from Old French maistre "master; skilled worker, educator" (12c.), from Latin magistrum (see magistrate). Sense of "hotel manager, manager of a dining room" is from 1890. Shortened form maître d' is attested from 1942; simple maitre in this sense is from 1899.
Entries linking to maitre d'hotel
late 14c., "a civil officer in charge of administering laws," also "office or function of a magistrate," from Old French magistrat, from Latin magistratus "a magistrate, public functionary," originally "magisterial rank or office," from magistrare "serve as a magistrate," from magister "chief, director" (see master (n.)). From late 17c. often meaning "justice of the peace" or other minor officials having criminal jurisdiction.
also maitre d, 1942, a shortening of maitre d'hotel (q.v.).
updated on November 04, 2018
Dictionary entries near maitre d'hotel
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maison
maisonette
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maitre d'hotel
maize
majestic
majesty
majlis
majolica
