| 释义 |
ˈwork-ˌmaster Now rare.
[Cf. MLG. werkmêster, ON. verkmeistari (MSw. werkmestare).]
A master workman; an overseer or employer of workmen.
a1533Frith Disput. Purgat. ii. H vij b, Lyke a wyse workemaster haue I layed the fundacyon, for I fyrst beganne to preche you Christ. 1535Coverdale Song Sol. vii. 1 Like a fayre iewell, which is wrought by a connynge workmaster. a1589M. Philips in Hakluyt Voy. 580, I came to Siuill, and sought me out a workemaster, that I might fall to my science, which was weauing of taffataes. 1617Woodall Surg. Mate Wks. (1639) 193 This medicine..to an Artist which is a true Preparer of medicines..is plaine and pleasant to be done, and..will doe the worke-master credit that useth it. 1632in E. B. Jupp Carpenters' Co. (1887) 297 That the workmaster be left at Liberty to make choyce whether he will have a Carpenter or Joyner to lay the same. 1703T. N. City & C. Purchaser Title-p., Contracts betwixt the Workmaster and Workman. 1816Coleridge Lay Serm. (Bohn) 307 The contents of every work must correspond to the character and designs of the work-master. 1876Bancroft Hist. U.S. IV. xxiv. 492 Like a bravo who loves his trade, he set about the task of his work-masters.
b. fig.: esp. applied to God as creator and ruler; rarely of a thing.
1535Coverdale Job xiii. 4 Ye are workmasters of lyes. ― Wisd. vii. 22 The worckmaster of all thinges hath taught me wyszdome. a1548Hall Chron., Hen. VIII, 198 These moste solempne ordinaunces of y⊇ most high workemaster God. 1605London Prodigal iii. ii. 93 Nature, in her building, is a most curious worke-maister. 1607Markham Cavel. i. xix. (1617) 79 The braine of a man being a busie and laborsome workmaister. 1630S. Lennard tr. Charron's Wisd. i. iii. 16 The armes and hands, the worke-masters of all things. Ibid. lxi. 225 The greatnesse, goodnesse, wisdome, power of the chiefe work-master. |