equerry
/ɪˈkwɛri
/ /ˈɛkwəri /noun (plural equerries)
1An officer of the British royal household who attends or assists members of the royal family: he became equerry to the Duke of Kent...
- Much later it was revealed that the Royal Family and their equerries had been practising in the gardens of Buckingham Palace with rifles, pistols and tommy-guns.
- As she left the church after the 40-minute service, a smiling Sophie linked arms with husband Edward and Timothy Laurence, a former royal equerry.
- Her equerries and footmen march bareheaded on either side next the litter, and outside, the pensioners on foot with their halberds.
1.1 historical An officer of the household of a prince or noble who had charge over the stables.Being a known equerry to the Prince, I was often peppered with questions of this nature while out about the piazza....
- In due course, the horse arrived with the vet, groom, and an equerry, in a large horsebox.
- Bertie's hour proved more eventful for both his comptroller and his equerry decided to show up right after the gentlemen separated from the ladies.
Origin
Early 16th century (formerly also as esquiry): from Old French esquierie 'company of squires, prince's stables', from Old French esquier 'esquire', perhaps associated with Latin equus 'horse'. The historical sense is apparently based on Old French esquier d'esquierie 'squire of stables'.