minstrel

noun

min·strel ˈmin(t)-strəl How to pronounce minstrel (audio)

plural minstrels

: one of a class of medieval musical entertainers

especially : a singer of verses to the accompaniment of a harp

wandering minstrels

: musician

: poet

: a member of a type of performance troupe caricaturing Black performers that originated in the U.S. in the early 19th century

Note: The acts of minstrels, who typically performed in blackface, featured exaggerated and inaccurate representations of Black people in songs, dances, and comic dialogue. The popularity of minstrel shows in their heyday played a significant role in promoting negative racial stereotypes. Professional minstrel shows had fallen out of favor and effectively disappeared by the mid-20th century.

: a performance by a troupe of minstrels : a minstrel show

Synonyms

bard
muse
poet
poetaster
rhymester
rimester
versifier

See all Synonyms & Antonyms

Example Sentences

Edna St. Vincent Millay was unofficially the minstrel of Maine, as her poetry celebrates its coast and countryside.

Recent Examples on the Web Batiste is not a reprobate minstrel like late-night regular Lil Nas X; yet the weakness of both is held in equivalent esteem by the cultural mainstream.

Armond White, National Review, 6 Apr. 2022 The first minstrel shows mimicked enslaved Africans on Southern plantations, depicting Black people as lazy, ignorant, cowardly or hypersexual, according to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 3 Nov. 2021 Later, Texas Cowboys minstrel shows, first held in Hogg Auditorium in 1940 and later in Gregory Gym, featured renditions of the song in blackface.

Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, 9 Mar. 2021 Gilbert showed solid comic timing both vocally and physically as not-dead Fred, a very literal minstrel and a delicate prince.

Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 23 Dec. 2020 Quaker Oats retired Aunt Jemima, allowing her real-life forebearer, Nancy Green, to step out of the shadows of a minstrel past.

Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2020 Also shining in multiple roles: Scott Gilbert, who shows solid comic timing both vocally and physically as not-dead Fred, a very literal minstrel and a delicate prince.

Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 19 Sep. 2020 Back in June, Quaker Oats came under fire for their Aunt Jemima brand of syrup and pancake mix, which features a Black woman originally dressed as a minstrel character.

Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 1 Sep. 2020 The 130-year-old brand features a Black woman who was originally dressed as a minstrel character.

NBC News, 18 June 2020 See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English menestral, menstral, mynstral, borrowed from Anglo-French menestral, menestrel "servant, attendant, official, workman, musical entertainer," borrowed from Medieval Latin ministeriālis "servant, functionary in a lord's household, official," going back to Late Latin, "imperial official," noun derivative of ministeriālis "serving, performing a duty" — more at ministerial

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

单词	minstrel
释义	minstrel noun min·strel ˈmin(t)-strəl plural minstrels 1 : one of a class of medieval musical entertainers especially : a singer of verses to the accompaniment of a harp wandering minstrels 2 a : musician b : poet 3 a : a member of a type of performance troupe caricaturing Black performers that originated in the U.S. in the early 19th century Note: The acts of minstrels, who typically performed in blackface, featured exaggerated and inaccurate representations of Black people in songs, dances, and comic dialogue. The popularity of minstrel shows in their heyday played a significant role in promoting negative racial stereotypes. Professional minstrel shows had fallen out of favor and effectively disappeared by the mid-20th century. b : a performance by a troupe of minstrels : a minstrel show Synonyms bard muse poet poetaster rhymester rimester versifier See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Edna St. Vincent Millay was unofficially the minstrel of Maine, as her poetry celebrates its coast and countryside. Recent Examples on the Web Batiste is not a reprobate minstrel like late-night regular Lil Nas X; yet the weakness of both is held in equivalent esteem by the cultural mainstream. Armond White, National Review, 6 Apr. 2022 The first minstrel shows mimicked enslaved Africans on Southern plantations, depicting Black people as lazy, ignorant, cowardly or hypersexual, according to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN, 3 Nov. 2021 Later, Texas Cowboys minstrel shows, first held in Hogg Auditorium in 1940 and later in Gregory Gym, featured renditions of the song in blackface. Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, 9 Mar. 2021 Gilbert showed solid comic timing both vocally and physically as not-dead Fred, a very literal minstrel and a delicate prince. Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 23 Dec. 2020 Quaker Oats retired Aunt Jemima, allowing her real-life forebearer, Nancy Green, to step out of the shadows of a minstrel past. Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2020 Also shining in multiple roles: Scott Gilbert, who shows solid comic timing both vocally and physically as not-dead Fred, a very literal minstrel and a delicate prince. Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 19 Sep. 2020 Back in June, Quaker Oats came under fire for their Aunt Jemima brand of syrup and pancake mix, which features a Black woman originally dressed as a minstrel character. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 1 Sep. 2020 The 130-year-old brand features a Black woman who was originally dressed as a minstrel character. NBC News, 18 June 2020 See More Word History Etymology Middle English menestral, menstral, mynstral, borrowed from Anglo-French menestral, menestrel "servant, attendant, official, workman, musical entertainer," borrowed from Medieval Latin ministeriālis "servant, functionary in a lord's household, official," going back to Late Latin, "imperial official," noun derivative of ministeriālis "serving, performing a duty" — more at ministerial First Known Use 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Kids Definition minstrel noun min·strel ˈmin-strəl 1 : a musical entertainer in the Middle Ages 2 : a member of a group of entertainers who performed black American melodies and jokes with blackened faces in the 19th and early 20th centuries minstrel noun as in poet a person who writes poetry Edna St. Vincent Millay was unofficially the minstrel of Maine, as her poetry celebrates its coast and countryside Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance poet bard muse rhymester versifier poetaster rimester troubadour poetess lyricist scop rhymer rhapsodist poet laureate sonneteer epigrammatist rhapsode epigrammatizer
随便看	phrasers phrases phrasey phrasing phrasings phrasy phrator phratral phratric phratries phratry phre phreak phreaked phreaker phreaking phreakings phreaks phreatic phreatophyte phreatophytes phreatophytic phren phrenes phrenetic

minstrel

noun

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun

noun