noun
Refers to a person who serves a monarch, emperor, or high-ranking noble in a court setting. The term is somewhat historical or formal, and is not used for modern service staff.
彼は若い頃、宮中で侍臣として仕えていた。
In his youth, he served as a courtier at the imperial court.
Composed of 侍 (to serve, attend) and 臣 (retainer, subject). The compound directly conveys the idea of a serving retainer at court.