seigneur

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   historical: a feudal lord or nobleman in France or another French-speaking territory

   The tenants owed rents and customary services to the local seigneur.

2. 2
   noun

   historical Canada: the holder of a seigneurie under the French colonial land system

   The seigneur granted narrow riverfront farms to new settlers.

3. 3
   noun

   the hereditary ruler and lord of the Channel Island of Sark

   The island's seigneur welcomed the delegation at the manor.

Borrowed from Middle French seigneur and Old French seignor, 'lord,' from Latin senior, literally 'older.' It is a doublet of senior and is related through later Romance forms to sir, sire, señor, signore, and senhor.

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