gestour

Middle English

Alternative forms

• iestour, jestour, gestiour, gestowre, geestour, gestoure

Etymology

Equivalent to gesten +‎ -our; compare geste (“a deed”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɡɛsˈtuːr/, /ɡɛːsˈtuːr/

Noun

gestour (plural gestours or gestoures)

1. A reciter of gests or legendary tales.
   • 1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “The Ryme of Syr Thopas”, in The Canterbury Tales, [Westminster: William Caxton, published 1478], →OCLC; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, →OCLC:

     mynstrales and gestours for to telle tales

     (please add an English translation of this quotation)

2. A jester; a comic.

Descendants

• English: jester
• Scots: jestar

References

• “ǧē̆stǒur, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-04-26.
• “gestour”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.