French Conversation · Level 122
60 words
French word
sénéchal
Pronunciation
IPA/seneʃal/
Meaning
- masculine nounsteward
Example
Le sénéchal supervise le personnel de la maison.
The steward oversees the staff of the household.
More examples
Pendant la visite du château, le guide a parlé du rôle du sénéchal.
During the castle tour, the guide talked about the role of the seneschal.
Core concept
A central steward directing people and daily affairs across a large estate.
Similar words
majordome: A senior butler who served the master of a mansion and assigned household staff.
Definition in French
Terme historique désignant le responsable principal de l'intendance, de l'ordre et de la gestion du personnel dans une grande maison ou un domaine.
Word origin
The French form sénéchal developed from Old French seneschal, which came from Latin seniscalcus and ultimately a Germanic word meaning 'old servant'.
Usage tips
- Sénéchal is mainly historical or literary in modern French, rather than a usual term for a contemporary household manager.