Definition of "domestique" [domestique]

• A member of a competitive bicycle-racing team whose role is to assist the team leader, as by setting the pace. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Abbott refers to Sampson as his "domestique" - a French term (it means, literally, servant) referring to a road cycle racer who works for the benefit of his leader."
• "Now, he sees his job as serving as a "domestique" - or support rider - for Contador, putting an end to speculation about whether he or the Spaniard deserved the role of Astana team leader."
• "Could Lance Armstrong actually be a support rider, that self-sacrificing team player the Franco-centric cycling world calls a domestique?"