caterer
(ˈkeɪtərə(r))
[f. cater n.1 or v.1 + -er1; supplanting the earlier cater n.1 (Some words in -erer seem to have been formed, not on verbs, but on the earlier ns. in -er, or perh. from the nouns of state in -ery; cf. fruiterer, poulterer, sorcerer.)]
1. One who caters or purveys provisions for a household, club, etc.; one who supplies the viands at an entertainment, fête, etc.
[1469 Catourer is printed in Househ. Ord. (1790) 97. But the ed. is untrustworthy, and this portion of the MS. is now lost.]
| 1592 Nashe P. Penilesse (ed. 2) 21 a, They drawe out a dinner with sallets..and make Madona Nature their best Caterer. 1599 ― Lent. Stuffe (1871) 83 The Popes caterer..asked what it was he had to sell. 1630 Wadsworth Sp. Pilgr. iii. 30 Sr. Gerard Kemps brother, who is a Caterer to the Colledge. 1752 Johnson Rambl. No. 206 ¶4 The succession of dishes with which their cooks and caterers supply them. 1833 Marryat P. Simple xxviii, The marine officer..was the gun-room caterer. 1872 City Press 20 Jan., The Tallow-chandlers' Company dined at the hall..Messrs. ― were the caterers. |
b. fig.
| 1618 R. Brathwait Descr. Death, Death is worm's caterer. a 1716 South 12 Serm. II. 40 Nature is their Cook, and Necessity their Caterer. 1746–7 Hervey Medit. & Contempl. (1818) 143 All nature is our caterer. 1784 Cowper Task ii. 371 Grand caterer and dry-nurse of the church. |
2. gen. One who caters in any way for the requirements of others.
| 1709 Steele Tatler No. 46 ¶2 A Prince is no more to be his own Caterer in his Love, than in his Food. a 1723 S. Centlivre Love at Vent. i. i, I like no caterer in Love's market. 1877 Manch. Guard. 26 Feb. 7 Caterers for public amusement. 1884 Cassell's Fam. Mag. Mar. 243/1 The dress caterers have all their plans laid for the summer. |
Hence ˈcaterership, purveyorship.
| 1830 Marryat King's Own xl, Why don't you give up the caterership? |