courtier

[kawr-tee-er, kohr-]

noun

1. a person who is often in attendance at the court of a king or other royal personage.

2. a person who seeks favor by flattery, charm, etc.

courtier

/ ˈkɔːtɪə /

noun

1. an attendant at a court

2. a person who seeks favour in an ingratiating manner

Other Word Forms

• undercourtier noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of courtier¹

1250–1300; Middle English courteour < Anglo-French courte ( i ) our, equivalent to Old French cortoy ( er ) to attend at court (derivative of court court ) + Anglo-French -our < Latin -ōr- -or ²; suffix later conformed to -ier ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of courtier¹

C13: from Anglo-French courteour (unattested), from Old French corteier to attend at court

Example Sentences

At least imperial courtiers trust in strict codes about curtsies and proper titles.

From Los Angeles Times

Returning to our old friend Ludwig for a moment, note that he was known as “Mad King Ludwig” to the people who wanted to depose him, starting with his courtiers.

From Salon

“Washington has become Nero’s court, with an incendiary emperor, submissive courtiers, and a ketamine-fueled buffoon in charge of purging the civil service.”

From Salon

Praise for Trump’s tariff policy has been largely concentrated among his Cabinet members and other courtiers.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s worse than that: Like Stalin’s inner circle or a Bourbon king’s courtiers, Trump’s factotums seek to outdo each other in embracing absurd, impossible, offensive and dangerous ideas.

From Salon