# minstrelsy

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. The musical and other art and craft of a minstrel.
2. A group of minstrels.
3. Any similar modern group performing song and verse.
4. A collection of minstrel ballads.

## Etymology
From Middle English minstralcie, from 13th century Anglo-Norman menestralsie, menestralcie, from Old French menestrel (“minstrel”), itself from Medieval Latin ministralis (“servant, jester, singer”), from Late Latin ministerialis (“imperial household officer, one having an official duty”), from the adjective ministerialis (“ministerial, servants”), from Latin ministerium (“service”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/minstrelsy