Majordomo
A majordomo (US: /ˌmeɪdʒərˈdoʊmoʊ/) is a person who speaks, makes arrangements, or takes charge for another. Typically, this is the highest (major) person of a household (domūs or domicile) staff, a head servant who acts on behalf of the owner of a large or significant residence.
A majordomo may also, more informally, be someone who oversees the day-to-day responsibilities of a business enterprise.[1] Historically, many institutions and governments—monasteries, cathedrals, and cities—as well as noble and royal houses, also had the post of majordomo, who usually was in charge of finances.
In Spanish, the related term mayordomo means butler. The Hispanos of New Mexico use mayordomo to refer to the manager of an acequia system for a town or valley.[2]
Etymology
The word majordomo is derived from maior domūs (Latin for 'principal of the house'), and it was borrowed into English from Spanish mayordomo or Old Italian maiordomo. Also, it is found as French majordome, modern Italian maggiordomo, Portuguese and Galician mordomo, and Romanian and Catalan majordom.
See also
- Castellan
- Chief operating officer
- Chief of staff
- Concierge
- Consigliere
- Chamberlain
- Executive officer
- Kouropalates (curopalate)
- Maître d'hôtel
- Mayor of the palace
- Papal majordomo
- Seneschal
- Steward
- Underboss
- Valet
References
- ^ "majordomo". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. OCLC 1032680871. Retrieved 2020-11-10.
- ^ Cobos, Rubén. A Dictionary of New Mexican and Southern Colorado Spanish.
External links
- The dictionary definition of majordomo at Wiktionary