Charioteers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who operate chariots during races or contests
2. Drivers of chariots in competitive events who demonstrate agility and skill
3. Persons who skillfully drive horse-drawn chariots, often competing in races or exhibitions

Etymology: "Charioteers" is the plural of "charioteer," and the singular word came into English from Old French, where "charioteur" and "charretier" both meant a driver of a cart or chariot. The Middle English form was "charioter," which was later reshaped to match the French ending "-eer" and the English word "chariot." The "-eer" ending comes from French and marks a person who works with or handles something, as in "engineer" or "auctioneer." Attaching it to "chariot," an older word for a two-wheeled war or racing vehicle, produced a title for the driver rather than the vehicle itself.