work-master

plural work-masters

1. alternativeAlternative form of workmaster.

   Our garments also should be referr’d to the licencing of some more sober work-masters to see them cut into a lesse wanton garb.

   1644, John Milton, Areopagitica: A Speech of Mr. John Milton for the Liberty of Unlicenc’d Printing, page 17

   3 more examples

   1560, Geneva Bible, Wisdom of Solomon 13:1-2, Surely all men are vaine by nature, and are ignorant of God, and colde not knowe him that is, by the good things that are sene, nether consider by the workes the work-master. But thei thoght the fyre, or the winde or the swift aire, or the course of the starres, or the raging water, or the lights of heaven to be governours of the worlde, and gods.

   So every carpenter and work-master, that laboureth night and day; and they that cut and grave seals, and are diligent to make great variety, and give themselves to counterfeit imagery, and watch to finish a work.

   1790, The Christian's Complete Family Bible

   A question had arisen as to the fitness of additional securities on the projected new coinage of crown gold, in consequence of the advancement of Sir Richard Martin from the office of Warden to that of Master-worker, or Work-master, of the Mint.

   1840, François Egerton, The Egerton papers, page 188