chamberlain Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun British statesman who as Prime Minister pursued a policy of appeasement toward fascist Germany (1869-1940)
    Arthur Neville Chamberlain; Neville Chamberlain.
  2. noun the treasurer of a municipal corporation
  3. noun an officer who manages the household of a king or nobleman

WordNet

Cham"ber*lain noun
Etymology
OF. chamberlain, chambrelencF. chambellon, OHG. chamerling, chamarlinc, G. kämmerling, kammer chamber (fr. L. camera) + -ling. See Chamber, and -ling.
Definitions
  1. An officer or servant who has charge of a chamber or chambers.
  2. An upper servant of an inn. Obs.
  3. An officer having the direction and management of the private chambers of a nobleman or monarch; hence, in Europe, one of the high officers of a court.
  4. A treasurer or receiver of public money; as, the chamberlain of London, of North Wales, etc.

Webster 1913