Also 5 vywer, vyewer, 5–6 vewer, 6 vewar. [f. VIEW v. + -ER.]
1. A person appointed to examine or inspect something, either on a special occasion or permanently; in later use esp. an inspector or examiner of goods supplied by contract; † spec. in Law, one appointed by a court to inspect a place, property, etc., and report upon it.
Formerly the designation of certain officials in the town of St. Albans: see A. E. Gibbs, Corpor. Rec. St. Albans (1890), 11.
1415–6. [see VIEW sb. 1].
1447. Scriptores Tres (Surtees), App. p. cccxiii. The said … Alexander [etc.] … sall werkman-like wirke the said myne … be the sight of certeyn vewers tharto assigned.
1479–81. Rec. St. Mary at Hill (1905), 111. Item, payd to the vywers for to ouerse the howse þat dyghton dwellith in. Ibid. Payd for the vywers labour and attendaunce at diuerse tymez.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 103. For the capitaine of the horsemen was appointed sir Edward Gyldford, by whom the currers and vewers of the countrey were appointed.
1601. J. Keymor, Dutch Fishing (1664), 7. She [the herring-buss] imployeth … at Land … Viewers, Packers, Tellers, Dressers, Couchers to make the Herrings lawfull Merchandizes.
1651. G. W., trans. Cowel’s Inst., 252. The Judg commands the Sheriffe, That at a day assigned, he cause a view to be taken by such Viewers or Surveyers, as may certifie the Court [etc.].
1700. Tyrrell, Hist. Eng., II. 819. Our Regarders or Viewers shall go through the Forests to make a View or Regard.
1708. J. Chamberlayne, St. Gt. Brit. (1710), 490. Viewer and Examiner of Tobacco [at the Port of London].
1714. in Hist. Northfield, Mass. (1875), 134. One-half of said fence to be accounted as Public Fence, and the whole to be under the viewers for the security of the Great Meadow.
1828. Webster, Viewer,… in New England, a town officer whose duty is to inspect something; as, a viewer of fences, who inspects them to determine whether they are sufficient in law.
1834. in Nicolay & Hay, A. Lincoln, I. 119, note. To appoint viewers to view and locate a road from Musick’s ferry on Salt Creek.
1863. Cornh. Mag., VII. 323. The very viewers who first examine the stores, and on the nature of whose report so much depends.
1886. Pall Mall G., 6 March, 4/2. A large number of viewers, male and female, are kept, whose sole duty it is to see that everything is faultless and in good order.
transf. c. 1540. J. Heywood, Witty & Witless (Percy Soc.), 1. And that experyens may schowe the trewer, Accept we reson to be owr vewer.
1574. Hellowes, trans. Gueuara’s Fam. Ep. (1577), 225. For if I will bee a Judge of your goodes, for the same you will be a viewer of my life.
b. An overseer, manager or superintendent of a coal-mine or colliery.
1708. J. C., Compleat Collier (1845), 31. And now I must leave you to your Viewer, or Head Under-over Man, who is to take charge of a regular working of the colliery.
1761. Brit. Mag., II. 668. Mr. Curry, a viewer, and three others were burnt at Hartley Colliery, near Newcastle upon Tyne, by an explosion of foul air.
1797. J. Curr, Coal Viewer, 8. The viewers or superintendents of collieries.
1813. Ann. Reg., Chron., 49. Among the sufferers … [was] one of the Viewers.
1839. Ure, Dict. Arts, 964. Coal viewers or engineers regard the dislocations now described as being subject in one respect to a general law.
1867. W. W. Smythe, Coal & Coal-mining, 175. Many of the most experienced colliery viewers, both at home and abroad, hold to the opinion that they substitute one danger for another.
1883. Gresley, Gloss. Coal-M., 273.
2. One who views anything closely or attentively; one who looks at a thing with attention or interest.
1565. Cooper, Thesaurus, Speculator,… a beholder: a viewer.
1572. J. Jones, Bathes of Bath, I. 8 b. The Phisicyon is a viewer and sercher out of Nature.
1579. W. Fulke, Confut. Sanders, 692. You are such a narrowe vewer of such idle pictures.
1611. Bible, Isaiah, xlvii. 13. The astrologers (marg. viewers of the heauens), the starre-gazers.
1729. G. Adams, trans. Sophocl., Oedip.-Colon., I. iii. II. 87. Be silent, for hither come some ancient Men as Viewers of your Seat.
1857. Dickens, Dorrit, II. xv. [The bride’s outfit] was exhibited to select companies of female viewers.
1892. Daily News, 25 May, 6/8. There will probably be amongst viewers of the collection more than one … who will covet [etc.].
3. One who sees or looks at anything; a beholder, observer, spectator.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 143. The Prouince where you are … hath … many viewers of a yong Gentleman right nobly disposed.
1593. Q. Eliz., Boeth., 56. Not thy nature but weaknes of vewars sight makes the seeme fayre.
1599. Greene, Alphonsus, IV. ii. 16. A canapie was set … all beset with heads of conquered kings,… which … strooke a terror to the viewers harts.
a. 1625. Fletcher & Massinger, Cust. Country, III. ii. Can it be possible this frame should suffer, And built on slight affections, fright the viewer?
1652. Benlowes, Theoph., III. xxix. Her eyes amaze the Viewers, and inspire To hearts a warm yet chast desire.
1810. Crabbe, Borough, xvii. 33. ’Tis summer now; all objects gay and new; Smiling alike the viewer and the view.
1880. L. Wallace, Ben-Hur, VII. v. The features … were ruled by a certain expression which, as the viewer chose, might [etc.].
1885. Meredith, Diana, xxvi. Teaching gloom to rouse a songful nest in the bosom of the viewer.
