avener
|a-ven-er|
🇺🇸
/ˈævənər/
🇬🇧
/ˈævənə/
keeper of oats / manager of horse feed
Etymology
'avener' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'aveneor' (also attested as 'avenier'), ultimately from Latin 'avena' meaning 'oats'.
'avener' changed from Old French 'aveneor'/'avenier', via Late Latin 'avenarius' (from Latin 'avena') and entered Middle English usage as 'avener' in manorial and household contexts.
Initially it meant 'one who deals with oats', but over time it came to mean 'an officer responsible for procuring and distributing oats/provender for horses' in household/stable administration.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an officer in a medieval household or stable responsible for procuring and distributing oats and other provender for horses; a manager of horse feed.
The avener ensured the stables were well stocked with oats before the lord's journey.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/01 03:46