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ound." Chaucer's Dream. Below stairs, in the basement or lower part of a house, where the servants are. -- Flight of stairs, the stairs which make the whole ascent of a story. -- Pair of stairs, a set or flight of stairs. -- pair, in this phrase, having its old meaning of a set. See Pair, n., 1. -- Run of stars (Ar…

An assemblage of farming servants (held possibly by statute) for the purpose of being hired; -- called also statute fair. [Eng.] Cf. 3d Mop, 2. Halliwell. Statute book, a record of laws or legislative acts. Blackstone. -- Statute cap, a kind of woolen cap; -- so called because enjoined to be worn by a statute, dated i…

To push, as with a staff; -- with off. The condition of a servant staves him off to a distance. South.

in a large family, or on a large estate, to manage the domestic concerns, supervise other servants, collect the rents or income, keep accounts, and the like. Worthy to be stewards of rent and land. Chaucer. They came near to the steward of Joseph's house. Gen. xliii. 19. As good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1…

Earnest in endeavors; aiming sedulously; attentive; observant; diligent; -- usually followed by an infinitive or by of; as, be studious to please; studious to find new friends and allies. You that are so studious Of my affairs, wholly neglect your own. Massinger.

s. "We beseech mercy and succor." Chaucer. My noble father . . . Flying for succor to his servant Bannister. Shak.

A servant. [Obs.] Him behoves serve himself that has no swain. Chaucer.

tion; parasitic. To be cheated and ruined by a sycophantical parasite. South. Sycophantic servants to the King of Spain. De Quincey.

To wait, as attendants or servants; to serve; to attend; -- with on or upon. Was he not companion with the riotous knights That tend upon my father Shak.

A servant in livery, who rids with his master or mistress. Dickens.

To bestow a gift, or douceur, upon; to give a present to; as, to tip a servant. [Colloq.] Thackeray.

of a bird; also, an orgamental knot worn on top of the head, as by women. A great, stout servant girl, with cheeks as red as her topknot. Sir W. Scott.

To pain; to distress; to afflict. Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. Matt. viii. 6.

Observant of tradition; attached to old customs; old-fashioned. [R.] Shak.

, to avert. -- To turn away. (a) To dismiss from service; to discard; as, to turn away a servant. (b) To avert; as, to turn away wrath or evil. -- To turn back. (a) To give back; to return. We turn not back the silks upon the merchants, When we have soiled them. Shak.

, a prince will often tyrannize over his subjects; masters sometimes tyrannize over their servants or apprentices.

Of or pertaining to the kitchen, or the servants' quarters; hence, subordinate; menial. [Obs.]

Not faithful; not observant of promises, vows, allegiance, or duty; violating trust or confidence; treacherous; perfidious; as, an unfaithful subject; an unfaithful agent or servant. My feet, through wine, unfaithful to their weight. Pope. His honor rooted in dishonor stood, And faith unfaithful kept him falsely true.…

Not willing; loath; disinclined; reluctant; as, an unwilling servant. And drop at last, but in unwilling ears, This saving counsel, "Keep your piece nine years." Pope. -- Un*will"ing*ly, adv. -- Un*will"ing*ness, n.

An officer or servant who has the care of the door of a court, hall, chamber, or the like; hence, an officer whose business it is to introduce strangers, or to walk before a person of rank. Also, one who escorts persons to seats in a church, theater, etc. "The ushers and the squires." Chaucer. These are the ushers of M…