noun
Refers to a person who serves at a royal or imperial court. A formal, somewhat historical term; in modern contexts, it may evoke a traditional or ceremonial role.
彼は国王に仕える廷臣だった。
He was a courtier who served the king.
廷臣たちは宮殿の広間で王の到着を待っていた。
The courtiers waited in the palace hall for the king's arrival.
Compound of 廷 (court) and 臣 (retainer, subject). The kanji combination directly conveys the meaning of a court attendant.