Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SEN'ES-CHAL, n. [Fr. sénéchal; It. siniscalco; Sp. senescal; G. seneschall. The origin and signification of the first part of the word are not ascertained. The latter part is the Teutonic schalk or scealc, a servant, as in marshal.]

A steward; an officer in the houses of princes and dignitaries, who has the superintendence of feasts and domestic ceremonies. In some instances, the seneschal is an officer who has the dispensing of justice; as, the high seneschal of England. – Encyc.