[f. TYPE sb.1 + WRITER.]
1. A writing-machine having types for the letters of the alphabet, figures, and punctuation-marks, so arranged on separate rods (or on the periphery of a wheel) that as each key of the machine is depressed the corresponding character is imprinted in line on a moving sheet.
1871. Morn. Post., 9 Sept., 3/5. The tachytypograph, or rapid type-writer, is an invention which is being patented by Mr. J. S. Davies, of Haverfordwest, and consists of a machine for obtaining verbatim reports of speeches, debates, sermons, &c., in the ordinary English characters.
1875. Knight, Dict. Mech., s.v., The Sholes type-writer … is about the size of the sewing-machine, and is worked with keys arranged in four banks or rows.
1881. X Y Z Guide (N. Y.), Oct. p. iv. Manufacturers of the best Type Writer in the market.
1897. G. Allen, Type-writer Girl, ii. My typewriter continued to go click, click, click.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 25. One typewriter … is worked by means a handle which is grasped.
2. One who does typewriting, esp. as a regular occupation; = TYPIST 2.
1884. N. York Herald, 27 Oct., 7/2. Situation wanted—by lady, rapid stenographer and typewriter.
1887. St. James’s Gaz., 22 Dec. Women … beat them [men] altogether as typewriters and ‘dry-goods clerks.’
1895. How to get Married, 86. The marriage of the type-writer and her employer is so frequent that it has passed into a joke.
3. attrib. and Comb.
1889. Pall Mall G., 22 Oct., 2/1. The typewriter industry is a thing to itself.
1897. G. Allen, Type-writer Girl, xi. Ten thousand type-writer girls crowd London to-day.
1900. Doyle, Green Flag, 13. The typewriter-like clicking of the hopper.
1902. Eliz. L. Banks, Newspaper Girl, 4. My fingers … flew over the typewriter keys. Ibid., 155. I took my typewriter brush out, as though to wash it in the kitchen sink.
