major domo

major domo
(mayordomo [majorðómo] < Late Latin major domus < Latin maior 'higher; highest' and domus 'domestic')
   1) California: 1834. The foreman on a ranch or farm or the overseer of a mission. By extension, the supervisor over any group or project.
   2) New Mexico: 1885. In New Mexico, the manager of an irrigation system.
   Alternate forms: majordomo, mayor domo, mayordomo.
   Mayordomo is glossed in the DRAE as the head servant in a household. Santamaría references it as the employee of a ranch who is second in command to the administrator or boss (jefe), is superior to the overseer or foreman (capataz), and is responsible for supervising and directing the activities of the workers. Cobos gives several definitions in use in New Mexico and southern Colorado, including a foreman or manager, an overseer, or a 'ditch boss.'

Cowboy Talk. A Dictionary of Spanish Terms. . 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • major-domo — 1580s, via It. maggiordomo or Sp. mayordomo, from M.L. major domus chief of the household, also mayor of the palace under the Merovingians, from L. major greater (see MAJOR (Cf. major) (adj.)) + gen. of domus house (see DOMESTIC (Cf. domestic) …   Etymology dictionary

  • major-domo — [mā′jər dō′mō] n. pl. major domos [Sp mayordomo or It maggiordomo < LL major domus < L major, greater (see MAJOR) + gen. of domus, house] 1. a man in charge of a great, royal, or noble household; chief steward 2. any steward or butler:… …   English World dictionary

  • major-domo — ► NOUN (pl. major domos) ▪ the chief steward of a large household. ORIGIN Spanish and Italian, from Latin major domus highest official of the household …   English terms dictionary

  • Major-domo — Ma jor do mo, n. [Sp. mayordomo, or It. maggiordomo; both fr. LL. majordomus; L. major greater + domus house.] A man who has authority to act, within certain limits, as master of the house; a steward; also, a chief minister or officer. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • major-domo — /may jeuhr doh moh/, n., pl. major domos. 1. a man in charge of a great household, as that of a sovereign; a chief steward. 2. a steward or butler. 3. a person who makes arrangements for another. [1580 90; < Sp mayordomo < ML majordomus head of… …   Universalium

  • major-domo — [ˌmeɪdʒə dəʊməʊ] noun (plural major domos) the chief steward of a large household. Origin C16: via Sp. and Ital. from med. L. major domus highest official of the household …   English new terms dictionary

  • major-domo — /meɪdʒə ˈdoʊmoʊ/ (say mayjuh dohmoh) noun (plural major domos) 1. a man in charge of a great household, as that of a sovereign; a chief steward. 2. a steward or butler. {Spanish mayordomo, or Italian maggiordomo, from Medieval Latin mājor domūs… …  

  • major-domo — n. (pl. os) 1 the chief official of an Italian or Spanish princely household. 2 a house steward; a butler. Etymology: orig. mayordome f. Sp. mayordomo, It. maggiordomo f. med.L major domus highest official of the household (as MAJOR, DOME) …   Useful english dictionary

  • major-domo — noun a) The head steward or butler of a large household. b) Somebody who makes arrangements or directs affairs for another. Syn: seneschal …   Wiktionary

  • major-domo — (Roget s IV) n. Syn. butler, steward, retainer; see servant …   English dictionary for students

  • major-domo — manager of a household …   English contemporary dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”