infirmarer Hist.
(ɪnˈfɜːmərə(r))
Also 5 enfermerere, 9 -firmerer.
[a. OF. enfermerier (Godef.), app. f. enfermerie infirmary, but see -er1 3. The usual OF. form was enfermier (mod.F. infirmier) enfermer (see also fermerer).]
In mediæval monasteries, the person who had charge of the infirmary; the infirmarian.
| c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode iv. lx. (1869) 205 And heerfore hath grace dieu maad me enfermerere in þis place. 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) VII. 403 Noo man schalle absente hym from servyce, neiþer go furthe after complyn, but the infirmarer, celerer and hostiler. 1794 W. Tindal Evesham 110 Which..the Infirmerar receives to the value of three marks annually. 1802 Fosbrooke Brit. Monachism xix. (1843) 135 The Abbot..was to appoint such a person Infirmarer as might be able..to receive the confession of the sick. 1884 19th Cent. Jan. 112 At Evesham the sacristan, the chamberlain and the infirmarer were allowed forage and the keep of one horse. |
So inˈfirmaress [-ess1], a female infirmarer.
| 1802 Fosbrooke Brit. Monachism xix. (1843) 135 The Infirmaress had a Lay-sister as an assistant. 1896 Lina Echenstein Woman under Monast. 416 There is the prioress..the chambress, the infimaress, the portress and others. |