cupbearer

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   historical: a trusted court official who poured and served wine or another drink to a ruler

   The king's cupbearer tasted the wine before presenting the goblet.

2. 2
   noun

   a person in mythology or ceremony whose role is to fill and present drinking cups

   In Greek myth, Hebe served as cupbearer to the gods.

A compound of cup + bearer, attested in late Middle English. Because poisoning was a danger at court, serving a ruler's drink could be a position of unusual trust and influence. The title also translates the ceremonial role assigned to figures such as Hebe and Ganymede in Greek myth.

Topics