Main Entry: ¹va·let

Pronunciation: \ˈva-lət, ˈva-(ˌ)lā, va-ˈlā\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English vadlet, valet, from Anglo-French, young man of noble birth serving a lord, boy, servant, from Medieval Latin *vassellittus, diminutive of vassus servant — more at vassal

Date: 14th century

1 a : a man's male servant who performs personal services (as taking care of clothing) b : an employee (as of a hotel or a public facility) who performs personal services for customers
2 : a device (as a rack or tray) for holding clothing or personal effects