{{Short description|Head servant}} {{About|an occupation|the e-mail software|Majordomo (software)|the Teenage Dads album|Majordomo (album)|the brand of chocolate|Mayordomo|the Marvel Comics character|Major Domo}} thumb|A majordomo at hotel des Deux Magots, Paris in 25 November 2009 A '''majordomo''' ({{IPAc-en|US|ˌ|m|eɪ|dʒ|ər|ˈ|d|oʊ|m|oʊ}}) is a person who speaks, makes arrangements, or takes charge for another. Typically, this is the highest (''major'') person of a household (''domūs'' or ''domicile'') staff, a head servant who acts on behalf of the owner of a large or significant residence.
A majordomo may also, more informally, be someone who oversees the day-to-day responsibilities of a business enterprise.<ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|majordomo|access-date=2020-11-10}}</ref> Historically, many institutions and governments—monasteries, cathedrals, and cities—as well as noble and royal houses, also had the post of majordomo, who usually was in charge of finances.
In Spanish, the related term ''mayordomo'' means butler. The Hispanos of New Mexico use ''mayordomo'' to refer to the manager of an ''acequia'' system for a town or valley.<ref>{{cite book|title=A Dictionary of New Mexican and Southern Colorado Spanish|last=Cobos|first=Rubén}}</ref>
== Etymology == The word majordomo is derived from {{langnf|la|maior domūs|principal of the house}}, and it was borrowed into English from Spanish {{lang|es|mayordomo}} or Old Italian {{lang|it|maiordomo}}. Also, it is found as French {{lang|fr|majordome}}, modern Italian {{lang|it|maggiordomo}}, Portuguese and Galician {{lang|pt|mordomo}}, and Romanian and Catalan {{lang|ro|majordom}}.
== See also == * Castellan * Chief operating officer * Chief of staff * Concierge * Consigliere * Chamberlain * Executive officer * Kouropalates (curopalate) * ''Maître d'hôtel'' * Mayor of the palace * Papal majordomo * Seneschal * Steward * Underboss * Valet
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Wiktionary inline}}
Category:Court titles Category:Domestic work