[tr. F. fermier-général.] One who, under the old French monarchy, ‘farmed’ the taxes of a particular district.
1711. Fr. Bk. of Rates, 126. His Majesty ordains and appoints the said Farmer-General, or his Clarks and Servants, to receive and collect.
1768. Sterne, Sent. Journ. (1778), II. 159. Paris, The farmer-general was just as inquisitive about our taxes.
1821. T. Jefferson, Autobiog., Writings, I. 90. A mitigation of the monopolies of our tobacco by the Farmers-general.
transf. 1790. Mad. D’Arblay, Diary, Oct. I am no farmer-general.
1892. Daily News, 28 April, 5/1. The right to sell programmes at 6d. is farmed out … and the farmer is often a farmer-general whose privilege includes a whole batch of theatres.
