yeoman
yeoman Lexical Profile
yeoman Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Historically, a man holding and cultivating a small landed estate; a freeholder ranking below the gentry.
"The English yeoman took great pride in farming his own independent parcel of land."
American A petty officer in the United States Navy or Coast Guard who performs administrative and clerical duties.
"The yeoman prepared the ship's official log and correspondence for the captain's signature."
British Historically, a servant or attendant in a royal or noble household, ranking between a sergeant and a groom.
"The king's yeoman was responsible for maintaining the royal hunting gear and provisions."
• adjective
Performed in a loyal, industrious, and dependable manner, especially in reference to hard work or useful service.
"The volunteers did yeoman work in restoring the community garden after the flood."
• Rhymes for yeoman
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'yeman' or 'yoman', likely a contraction of 'yongman' (literally 'young man'), used originally to denote an attendant or retainer in a noble household.