quarter-waiter
[quarter n. 8 a.]
One belonging to the lower class of Gentlemen-Ushers, who remained in waiting for a quarter of a year.
| a 1522 in Rutland Papers (Camd.) 102 Gentilmen ushers quarter wayters. c 1600 Sir J. Davies Dialogue (Tanner MS. 79 lf. 15), Gentleman Usher. I should know something that have beene a quarter-wayter these 15 yeares. 1610 Househ. Ord. (1790) 338 The gentlemen ushers, daily waiters, and quarter waiters. 1656 Sir J. Finett For. Ambass. 225 They gave to the hand of a Gentleman Usher Quarter-waiter 10 Peeces. 1731 Gentl. Mag. I. 126 One of the..Quarter-waiters in ordinary to his Majesty. |