1910–1911
Britannica 11th
Encyclopaedia Britannica · 11th edition
VALET (Fr. valet; O. Fr. vaslet), a term now restricted in meaning to that of a gentleman's personal servant. The origin of the word is debated. Du Cange (Glossarium, s. Valeti) explains it as the diminutive of vassallus, a vassal, the sons of vassalli being termed vasseleti (and so vasleti, valeti), on the analogy of domicelli (damoiseaux) for the sons of domini. This view is also taken by W. W. Skeat (Etym. Diet. s. " Varlet ") ; but Hatzfeld and Darmesteter (Diet. gen. de la langue franc_aise) , dispute this der…
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- Vol. 27, pp. 860-860