Min'strel, n.

n. [O. Eng. mynstral, O. Fr. menestrel, Pg. menestrel, menistrel, Pr. menestral, Sp. menestral, menestril, ministril, from L. Lat. ministerialis, servant, workman, ministrellus, harpist, from Lat. ministerium, service. See MINISTRY.] One of an order of men, in the middle ages, who subsisted by the arts of poetry and music, and sang to the harp verses composed by themselves or others; a bard; a singer and harper; a musician.