Steward \Stew"ard\, n. [OE. stiward, AS. st[imac]weard,
   stigweard, literally, a sty ward; stigu sty + weard warden,
   guardian, -- his first duty having been probably to attend to
   the domestic animals. [root]164. See Sty pen for swine,
   Ward.]
   1. A man employed in a large family, or on a large estate, to
      manage the domestic concerns, supervise other servants,
      collect the rents or income, keep accounts, and the like.
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            Worthy to be stewards of rent and land. --Chaucer.
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            They came near to the steward of Joseph's house.
                                                  --Gen. xliii.
                                                  19.
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            As good stewards of the manifold grace of God. --1
                                                  Pet. iv. 10.
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   2. A person employed in a hotel, or a club, or on board a
      ship, to provide for the table, superintend the culinary
      affairs, etc. In naval vessels, the captain's steward,
      wardroom steward, steerage steward, warrant officers
      steward, etc., are petty officers who provide for the
      messes under their charge.
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   3. A fiscal agent of certain bodies; as, a steward in a
      Methodist church.
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   4. In some colleges, an officer who provides food for the
      students and superintends the kitchen; also, an officer
      who attends to the accounts of the students.
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   5. In Scotland, a magistrate appointed by the crown to
      exercise jurisdiction over royal lands. --Erskine.
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   Lord high steward, formerly, the first officer of the
      crown; afterward, an officer occasionally appointed, as
      for a coronation, or upon the trial of a peer. [Eng.]
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