O.E. stiward, stigweard "house guardian," from stig "hall, pen" + weard "guard." Used after the Conquest as the equivalent of O.Fr. seneschal (q.v.). The sense of "officer on a ship in charge of provisions and meals" is first recorded c.1450; extended to trains 1906. Stewardess "female attendant on passenger aircraft" first attested 1931; used of ships (where she waited on the female passengers) from 1837. This was the title of a class of high officers of the state in early England and Scotland, hence meaning "one who manages affairs of an estate on behalf of his employer" (c.1386). Meaning "overseer of workmen" is attested from c.1300. The Scottish form is reflected in Stewart, name of the royal house, from Walter (the) Steward, who married (1315) Marjorie de Bruce, daughter of King Robert. The terminal -t is a Scottish form (c.1370). Stuart is a Fr. spelling, attested from 1429 and adopted by Mary, Queen of Scots.
Steward, IL (village, FIPS 72624) Location: 41.84846 N, 89.02058 W Population (1990): 282 (100 housing units) Area: 0.3 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water) Zip code(s): 60553
Stew"ard\, n. [OE. stiward, AS. st[=i]weard, stigweard, literally, a sty ward; stigu sty + weard warden, guardian, -- his first duty having been probably to attend to the domestic animals. [root]164. See Sty pen for swine, Ward.]1. A man employed in a large family, or on a large estate, to manage the domestic concerns, supervise other servants, collect the rents or income, keep accounts, and the like. Worthy to be stewards of rent and land. --Chaucer. They came near to the steward of Joseph's house. --Gen. xliii. 19. As good stewards of the manifold grace of God. --1 Pet. iv. 10. 2. A person employed in a hotel, or a club, or on board a ship, to provide for the table, superintend the culinary affairs, etc. In naval vessels, the captain's steward, wardroom steward, steerage steward, warrant officers steward, etc., are petty officers who provide for the messes under their charge. 3. A fiscal agent of certain bodies; as, a steward in a Methodist church. 4. In some colleges, an officer who provides food for the students and superintends the kitchen; also, an officer who attends to the accounts of the students. 5. In Scotland, a magistrate appointed by the crown to exercise jurisdiction over royal lands. --Erskine. Lord high steward, formerly, the first officer of the crown; afterward, an officer occasionally appointed, as for a coronation, or upon the trial of a peer. [Eng.]
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