The Old Occitan roots of the word 'troubadour'

'Troubadour' is a word borrowed from Old Occitan 'trobador'. The word entered the English language some time around 1741.

troubadour [noun] [circa 1741]

• one of a class of lyric poets and poet-musicians often of knightly rank who flourished from the 11th to the end of the ...
• a singer especially of folk songs

Meaning: one of a class of lyric poets and poet-musicians often of knightly rank who flourished from the 11th to the end of the 13th century chiefly in the south of France and the north of Italy and whose major theme was courtly love compare trouvere; a singer especially of folk songs.

Etymology: French; from Old Occitan trobador; from trobar to compose; from Vulgar Latin *tropare; from Latin tropus trope.

Topics: Arts:Music.

Origin: From French to English.

note: A medieval lyric poet and singer of courtly love in southern France and northern Italy. From Old Occitan trobar to compose entering English via French.

See 'troubadour' on the Loan Words Map

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