yeoman
yeoman — noun
- yeomansingular
- yeomenplural
1. In medieval England, a peasant farmer who held his own land outright and grew cr
In medieval England, a peasant farmer who held his own land outright and grew crops to feed his household, rather than renting fields or labouring for a lord.
In the 14th century, Darius worked as a yeoman on his small farm in Kent.
historical context: contrasts with tenant farmers and serfs
Village records show Kwame's grandfather was a yeoman who paid taxes on his land.
countable + possessive 'his own land'
Unlike serfs bound to the estate, a yeoman like Eli sold his crops at market.
Kenji's great-grandfather was a yeoman who left the farm to his eldest son.
- yeoman farmer
- yeoman class
- yeoman family
- yeoman household
- freeholder
More technical legal term; yeoman emphasises the farming aspect
- smallholder
Modern equivalent, but without the social-status implications of yeoman
- serf
A labourer bound to the land, the opposite of a free yeoman
- tenant farmer
Rented land instead of owning it
Usage Note
Now used mainly in historical writing about medieval and Tudor England. The term is not used for modern farmers.
2. A US Navy petty officer who manages paperwork, official records, and office comm
A US Navy petty officer who manages paperwork, official records, and office communications.
Sofia served as a yeoman on the carrier, managing payroll and personnel records.
serve as + yeoman; rank and duties
Before joining supply, Maeve worked as a yeoman writing daily navy reports.
The navy yeoman at the base tracks all incoming and outgoing official messages.
noun modifier: 'navy yeoman'
Reema trained for six months to qualify as a navy yeoman after joining the fleet.
- serve as a yeoman
- navy yeoman
- yeoman (rate)
- clerk
Broader civilian equivalent; yeoman is specific to the Navy rank
- petty officer
The rank category; yeoman is one specific rating within it
Usage Note
Still an active rank in the US Navy today. Usually appears without a modifying adjective in military contexts.
3. A member of the guards who take part in official ceremonies for the British king
A member of the guards who take part in official ceremonies for the British king or queen, especially the warders dressed in Tudor-style costume at the Tower of London.
Tourists at the Tower of London often photograph the yeoman in his red uniform.
ceremonial role: linked to Tower of London
Hoa watched the yeoman guards march with their tall hats shining in the sun.
Each morning a yeoman unlocks the Tower of London gates for the visitors.
routine duty: still performed daily
Lukas asked the yeoman at the gate for directions to the Crown Jewels exhibition.
- Yeoman of the Guard
- yeoman warder
- yeoman guard
- Beefeater
Informal nickname commonly used by tourists and the press
- Yeoman Warder
Full official title for Tower of London yeomen
Usage Note
Often called a 'Yeoman Warder' or informally a 'Beefeater'. The group is formally known as the Yeomen of the Guard.
Common Mistakes
Etymology
First known use
14th century
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a