minstrel: [13] Originally minstrel, like its close relative minister, denoted a ‘servant’. Its musical associations are a comparatively recent development. It goes back ultimately to late Latin ministeriālis ‘official’, a derivative of Latin ministerium (source of English ministry). Old French took it over as menestral, and it was here that a gradual specialization in meaning took place, from ‘servant’ via ‘entertainer’ to ‘singer’. => minister
