oliver

noun

1. one of the 12 paladins of Charlemagne.Compare Roland.
2. JosephKing, 1885?–1938, U.S. cornet player, bandleader, and composer: pioneer in jazz.
3. a male given name.

noun

1. one of Charlemagne’s 12 paladinsSee also Roland
2. Isaac. ?1556–1617, English portrait miniaturist, born in France: he studied under Hilliard and worked at James I’s court
3. Jamie (Trevor). born 1975, British chef and presenter of television cookery programmes
4. Joseph, known as King Oliver. 1885–1938, US pioneer jazz cornetist

masc. personal name, in medieval lore the name of one of Charlemagne’s peers, friend of Roland, from French Olivier, from Middle Low German Alfihar, literally “elf-host, elf-army,” from alf “elf” (see elf) + hari “host, army” (see harry (v.)). Cognate with Anglo-Saxon name Ælfhere. Form influenced in Old French by olivier “olive tree.”