minstrels

/ˈmɪnstrəlz/ /ˈmɪnstərz/

Meanings

noun

A medieval traveling entertainer who would sing and recite poetry, often to his own musical accompaniment.

Examples :

"In the medieval village, minstrels entertained the crowds with songs and stories of brave knights. "

noun

One of a troupe of entertainers who wore black makeup (blackface) to present a so-called minstrel show, being a variety show of song, dance and banjo music.

Examples :

"Example Sentence: "Historically, some theaters featured minstrels who performed racist caricatures of Black people in blackface." "

culture entertainment history race music

Related Words

sentence noun

[ˈsɛntn̩t͡s]

The decision or judgement of a jury or court; a verdict.

"The court returned a sentence of guilt in the first charge, but innocence in the second."

blackface noun

/ˈblækˌfeɪs/

A style of makeup in which a non-black person blackens their face, usually in order to portray a black person.

"The Canadian prime minister faced harsh criticism from the news media after several photographs of him wearing blackface surfaced on the internet."

entertainers noun

/ˌentərˈteɪnərz/ /ˌenɾəˈteɪnərz/

A person who entertains others, esp. as a profession, as a singer, actor, presenter, dancer, musician, magician, comedian, etc.

"The cruise ship hired many entertainers, including singers, dancers, and a comedian, to keep the passengers happy. "

medieval noun

/mɪd.ˈiː.vəl/ /mɪd.ˈi.vəl/

Someone living in the Middle Ages.

"The medieval historian spoke about the challenges faced by peasants in the Middle Ages. "

performed verb

/pə.ˈfɔːmd/ /pɚ.ˈfɔɹmd/

To do something; to execute.

"It took him only twenty minutes to perform the task."

accompaniment noun

/ə.ˈkʌm.pə.ni.mənt/

A part, usually performed by instruments, that gives support or adds to the background in music, or adds for ornamentation; also, the harmony of a figured bass.

"The singer's beautiful voice was enhanced by the soft piano accompaniment. "

minstrel noun

/mɪnstɹəl/

A medieval traveling entertainer who would sing and recite poetry, often to his own musical accompaniment.

"The minstrel entertained the villagers with songs and poems, playing his lute as he sang. "

entertainer noun

/ˌɛntərˈteɪnər/ /ˌɛnərˈteɪnər/

A person who entertains others, esp. as a profession, as a singer, actor, presenter, dancer, musician, magician, comedian, etc.

"The school's talent show featured a famous entertainer who was a talented magician. "

entertained verb

/ˌɛntəˈteɪnd/ /ˌɛntɚˈteɪnd/

To amuse (someone); to engage the attention of agreeably.

"The motivational speaker not only instructed but also entertained the audience."

traveling verb

/ˈtɹæv.l̩iŋ/

To be on a journey, often for pleasure or business and with luggage; to go from one place to another.

"My sister is traveling to Europe next summer for a vacation. "

historically adverb

/hɪˈstɒrɪkli/ /hɪˈstɔːrɪkli/

In a historic manner; with reference to history or the historical record.

"Historically speaking, this company has always collected payment before starting work."

caricatures noun

/ˈkærɪkətʃʊərz/ /ˈkærɪkətʃɜːrz/

A pictorial representation of someone in which distinguishing features are exaggerated for comic effect.

"The artist at the fair drew funny caricatures of tourists, making their noses extra big and their ears extra pointy. "