: a private secretary or attendant

Word History

Etymology

German, assistant to a professor, from Latin, servant

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of famulus was in 1825

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Famulus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/famulus. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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