† ˈale-ˌdraper Obs. or dial.
[f. ale- 4 + draper, perhaps originally jocular, in allusion to linen-draper, etc.]
An alehouse-keeper.
| 1655 R. Younge Charge agst. Drunk. 13 These godlesse Ale-drapers, and other sellers of drink. 1743 Lond. & Country Brewer iv. (ed. 2) 300 Most of our Brewers and Ale-Drapers care not what horrid Stuff they prepare and vend. 1747 in Parish Reg. of Scotter, Linc., [Buried] July 8th Thomas Broughton, Farmer and Ale Draper. 1855 Atkinson Whitby Gloss., Ale-draper, an alehouse keeper, or publican; a term now obsolete. |