Joinery

[f. JOINER + -Y³: see -ERY.]

  1.  The art or occupation of a joiner; the construction of wooden furniture, fittings, etc.; also concr. such articles collectively; things made by a joiner.

1678.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., iv. (1683), I. 59. Joynery is an Art Manual whereby several Pieces of Wood are so fitted and joyned together by straight Lines, Squares, Miters or any Bevel, that they shall seem one intire Piece.

c. 1695.  J. Miller, Descr. New York (1843), 31. The trades of joinery, carpentry, masonry.

1794.  Stedman, Surinam (1813), II. xxviii. 347. Chests, cupboards, lockers, and all sorts of joinery.

1879.  Cassell’s Techn. Educ., III. 183. The higher branches of joinery approach cabinet-making and wood-carving.

  2.  transf. and fig. Work analogous to that of a joiner; the process or product of joining or fitting parts together.

1774.  Burke, Sp. Amer. Taxation, Wks. 1880, I. 425. Lord Chatham … made an administration, so checkered and speckled; he put together a piece of joinery, so crossly indented.

1826.  Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. II. (1863), 317. That hideous piece of female joinery, a patch-work counterpane.

1828.  Carlyle, Misc., Goethe (1872), I. 186. Mind … reasoned of as … some curious piece of logical joinery.

  3.  attrib.

1727.  Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Frames, Wooden Joinery Work of a triangular Form.

1875.  Carpentry & Join., 106. Gloucester, in which town were then steam joinery works.