gleeman

English

Etymology

From Middle English gleman, gleoman, from Old English glēomann, glīġman, corresponding to glee (“music; minstrelsy; entertainment”) +‎ man. Cognate with Scots gle-man, gleman (“gleeman, minstrel”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡliːmən/

Noun

gleeman (plural gleemen)

1. (historical) A professional singer, bard, or other entertainer.

   Synonym: songman

   • 1948 (revised 1952), Robert Graves, The White Goddess, Faber & Faber 1999, p. 17:

     The ancient Celts carefully distinguished the poet, who was originally a priest and judge as well and whose person was sacrosanct, from the mere gleeman.

   • 1961, Norma Lorre Goodrich, The Medieval Myths, New York: The New American Library, page 19:

     “One truth would I set high above all others,” repeated the gleeman.

Related terms

• glee club

Anagrams

• melange, mélange