ˈpostmaster ˈgeneral
Pl. postmasters general.
[f. postmaster1 + general a. Called in 16th c. Latin magister postarum (see postmaster1 1 a): in 17th c. magister generalis nunciorum et cursorum, also general postmaster.]
The administrative head of the postal service of a country or state, in Great Britain often, and in U.S. always, a member of the cabinet. (On 1 Oct. 1969 the office of postmaster general was abolished in Great Britain and responsibility for executing its functions was transferred to the newly constituted Post Office Board.)
| 1626 in Rep. Secret Comm. P.O. (1844) 48 The matter in controversie betwixt the Lord Stanhope and Matthew de Questir, concerning the office of Postmaster-general. 1629 Reg. Privy Council Scot. Ser. ii. III. 8 [Sir William Seatoun] generall postmaister to his Majestie throughout this haill kingdome. 1636 J. Taylor (Water P.) Carriers Cosmogr. ad fin., Let them repaire to the Generall Post-Master Thomas Withering at his house in Sherburne Lane, neare Abchurch. c 1638 (title) A discourse shewing the true State and Title of the Comptroller or Postmaster generall of England, the Lord Stanhope's right to it. 1657 [See post office 1]. 1660 Act 12 Chas. II, c. 35 §2 Be it further enacted..That such Post Master Generall..shall prepare and provide Horses and Furniture to lett to Hire unto all Through posts and persons rideing in post by Commission. 1663 Commission 29 Apr. in Rep. Secret Comm. P.O. (1844) 85 Officium Magistri nostri Generalis Nunciorum et Cursorum, communiter vocatum The Office of Post Master Generall. 1707 Chamberlayne Pres. St. Eng. iii. (ed. 22) 441 Of the Office of Post-Master General. This Office.. is executed by Two Post-Masters-General. 1761 Brit. Mag. II. 51 The lords of the Admiralty have been pleased, at the request of the Post-master-general, to order his Majesty's sloops the Alderney and Hound, to sail to Flushing. 1846 J. Baxter Libr. Pract. Agric. (ed. 4) I. p. xiii, His Grace was one of the best Postmaster Generals who ever filled that important office. 1872 Act of Congress 8 June in U.S. Stat. XVII. 309 The postmaster-general shall provide for carrying the mail on all post-roads established by law. |
Hence ˈpostmaster-ˈgeneralship.
| 1882 E. W. Hamilton Diary 26 Nov. (1972) I. 365 In this list he had included..the Postmaster Generalship. 1885 Manch. Exam. 13 June 6/1 Lord John Manners would no doubt return to the Postmaster-Generalship. |