‖ valet-de-chambre
(valɛ də ʃɑ̃br)
Also 7 valett-, 7–8 valette; 7 vally, 8 vale; 8 valet de shamber, 8–9 valet de sham, 9 valley-de-sham.
[F., lit. ‘chamber-valet’.]
= valet n. 1.
| α 1646 Chas. I Lett. to Q. Henrietta M. (Camden) 60 One Dubose, valett-de-chambre to the Queen Regent. 1655 Nicholas P. (Camden) II. 291 There finding a valet de chambre attending, the Marquis wild him to tell the prince I was there. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 106 ¶2 You would take his Valet de Chambre for his Brother. 1764 Foote Patron ii. 31 It has been said, and I believe with some shadow of truth, that no man is a hero to his valet de chambre. 1782 V. Knox Ess. No. 32. 147, I dare say, you remember a shrewd remark of a writer, whose name I cannot recollect, That no great man ever appeared great in the eyes of his valet de chambre. 1839 Dickens Nich. Nick. xxviii, With noiseless tread two valets-de-chambre advanced into the room. 1862 H. Aïdé Carr of C. III. 36 Though our valets-de-chambre know us to be no heroes, it is clearly their interest to make us appear such in the eyes of the world. |
| β 1678 in Pollock Popish Plot App. B. (1903) 384 A vally de chambre to the Lord Bellasis. 1709 O. Dykes Eng. Prov. (ed. 2) 135 By the conversation of an illiterate Coxcomb of a Vale De Chambre. 1776 Foote Capuchin i. Wks. 1799 II. 384 His old shopman, whom he keeps as his valet de sham. 1791 O'Keeffe Wild Oats i. i, I wish you hadn't made me your valet de shamber. 1853 W. Irving Life & Lett. (1864) IV. 124 The door was opened by Mr. Gray's factotum and valley-de-sham Phil. |
Hence
valet-de-chambreship.
| 1779 J. Moore View Soc. Fr. (1793) I. 14 His dexterity and intelligence in the science of valet-de-chambreship. |