gleeman
English edit
Etymology edit
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 edit
Noun edit
gleeman (plural gleemen)
- (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.