noun
minnesinger
MIN-uh-sing-er/ˈmɪnəˌsɪŋər/
A medieval German poet who sang of courtly love.
The minnesinger performs a song of courtly love for his audience.
Etymology
The compound means “love-singer,” identifying these medieval poets by the subject of their lyric verse. They imitated the troubadours, combining the roles of poet and singer.
In context
German high court love poetry … the people who sang it or performed it, the [minnesinger] … they're similar to the troubadours
the birds were always a favorite subject for poetic inspiration on the part of the [minnesingers]
More examples
- We study a minnesinger's lyrics in our medieval literature class.
- Many minnesingers wrote in Middle High German.
- The poem shows how a minnesinger praises an idealized beloved.
Forms
minnesinger · minnesingers
Similar words
- troubadour
- Usually a medieval southern French poet of courtly love.
- minstrel
- A broader term for a medieval singer or entertainer.