Now rare. [Cf. MLG. werkmêster, ON. verkmeistari (MSw. werkmestare).] A master workman; an overseer or employer of workmen.
a. 1533. Frith, Disput. Purgat., II. H vij b. Lyke a wyse workemaster haue I layed the fundacyon, for I fyrst beganne to preche you Christ.
1535. Coverdale, Song Sol. vii. 1. Like a fayre iewell, which is wrought by a connynge workmaster.
a. 1589. M. 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.
1617. Woodall, 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.
1632. in 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.
1703. T. N., City & C. Purchaser, Title-p., Contracts betwixt the Workmaster and Workman.
1816. Coleridge, Lay Serm. (Bohn), 307. The contents of every work must correspond to the character and designs of the work-master.
1876. Bancroft, 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.
1535. Coverdale, Job xiii. 4. Ye are workmasters of lyes. Ibid., Wisd. vii. 22. The worckmaster of all thinges hath taught me wyszdome.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 198. These moste solempne ordinaunces of ye most high workemaster God.
1605. London Prodigal, III. ii. 93. Nature, in her building, is a most curious worke-maister.
1607. Markham, Cavel., I. xix. (1617), 79. The braine of a man being a busie and laborsome workmaister.
1630. Lennard, trans. 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.
