Famulus
/ˈfæmjʊləs/noun
An attendant or personal assistant, especially one serving a scholar, magician, or other learned person.
Did you know?In occult and scholarly contexts, a famulus could mean an assistant who helped a magician, alchemist, or learned master carry out specialized work.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
famulus
“A servant, household attendant, or personal aide”
Classical Latin
Latin
familia
“A household, including its servants and dependents; related to famulus”
Late Latin
Latin
famulus
“An attendant or subordinate serving a person of authority”
Renaissance Latin
Latin
famulus
“A learned assistant or attendant, including one serving a scholar or occult practitioner”
17th Century
English
famulus
“An assistant or attendant, especially one attached to a learned person”
Modern English
English
famulus
“A personal assistant, particularly to a scholar, magician, or specialist”
Explore more surprising origins