Seignior common?

[Morbius]

This was a new one on me in yesterday's 10 letter puzzle.  Had to look it up.  I can't say I've ever heard it said or seen it written.  A candidate for downgrading perhaps?

[rogue_mother]

I didn't even know it was a word, let alone common!

[nineoaks]

I was also surprised. I can imagine it being a word, but did not know it.

Nineoaks

[cmh]

Is that not where the phrase droit de seignior comes from ie the local bigwig giving himself the right to be a little too friendly with the local maidens? I still didn't get the word mind you!!

[nineoaks]

Dear cmh:

Perhaps you are thinking of 'droit de seigneur?'

9Oaks

[cmh]

oops!! That will teach me to try to keep up with people with higher education than me!!

[nineoaks]

Not really that much of an oops, since I think they both mean the same thing!

[Alan W]

Given that most sets of puzzle letters have cropped up before during the history of Chihuahua, it sometimes surprises me when a word like this is queried, that it hasn't already been queried on a previous appearance. However in this case, seignior was making its debut appearance. And its last appearance, as a common word at any rate, since I have to agree that it's a word seldom used since the demise of feudalism some little time ago now.