† 1. The publisher of a book (cf. Fr. éditeur).
1649. Bp. Hall, Cases Consc., I. v. (1650), 33. Otherwise some Interloper may perhaps underhand fall upon the work at a lower rate, and undoe the first editor.
2. One who prepares the literary work of another person, or number of persons for publication, by selecting, revising and arranging the material; also, one who prepares an edition of any literary work.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 470, ¶ 1. When a different Reading gives us … a new Elegance in an Author, the Editor does very well in taking Notice of it.
1725. Pope, Wks. Shaks., III. 422 (J.). This nonsense got into all the following editions by a pleasant mistake of the Stage-editors.
1748. Anson, Voy., Introd. The Editors of a new variation-chart … have … been misled by an erroneous analogy.
1831. J. Davies, Manual Nat. Med., Introd. The Editor conceives that the plan laid down here is [etc.].
1863. Burton, Bk.-Hunter, 302. The editors of club books are not mere dreary drudges.
3. esp. One who conducts a newspaper or periodical publication.
1803. G. Rose, Diaries (1860), II. 111. The Editor of the True Briton.
1823. W. Cobbett, Rur. Rides, 146. This blunder-headed editor of Bell’s Messenger.
1874. Morley, Compromise (1886), 248. The editor of the daily newspaper.
4. Antiq. [L. editor ludorum.] The exhibitor (of Roman public games).
1880. L. Wallace, Ben-Hur, V. x. (1884), 283. I have here the notice of the editor of the games, just issued.
Hence Editor v. trans., to treat (a person or work) as an editor does. Editored ppl. a., provided or furnished with an editor. Editoress = EDITRESS. Editorless a., without an editor.
1826. Blackw. Mag., XIX. 335. Some laggardly editorless, or ten editor’d periodical. Ibid. (1836), XL. 766. Lady Blessington is registered … editoress of half-a-score of books.
1883. Trollope, Autobiog., II. 123. Two or three literary gentlemen by whom to have had myself editored.
