whitewasher
(ˈhwaɪtˌwɒʃə(r))
[f. as prec. + -er1.]
One who or that which whitewashes.
1. One who lays on a coat of whitewash.
In quot. 1752 contemptuously for a clumsy artist.
| 1733 S. Carolina Gaz. 24 Feb., He's a Bricklayer, Plaisterer and White-washer. 1752 Foote Taste 1, Thou Dauber, thou execrable White⁓washer. 1866 Mrs. Gaskell Wives & Dau. xxv, The ladders of whitewashers and painters were sadly in the way of the ladies. |
2. fig. One who (or something that) frees from blame, conceals faults, or imparts a fair appearance.
| 1820 M. Wilmot Let. 27 Sept. (1935) 84 On recollection his cause is too good to be successful in such clever hands as her [sc. Queen Caroline's] whitewashers. 1862 M. Napier Visct. Dundee II. 228 note, A devoted and skilful white-washer of Scotch fanatics. 1889 M. Caird Wing of Azrael xxxi, Death is..the great whitewasher. |
3. slang or colloq. A final glass of white wine taken after dinner.
| 1881 J. Grant Cameronians iii, The General..insisted..on one more glass of dry sherry, ‘just as a white-washer’. |