† ˈtimbester Obs.
[app. for timberster or timbrester, f. timbre v.1 + -ster: cf. timbrer.]
A female performer on the timbrel.
| ? a 1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 769 Ther was many a timbestere [F. tymberresses]... The timbres up ful sotilly They caste, and henten [hem] ful ofte Upon a finger faire and softe. 1721 Bailey, Timbestores [later edd. -ters], Players on Timbrels. 1843 Lytton Last Bar. i. ii, A young maiden was struggling..to extricate herself from a troop of timbrel girls, or tymbesteres. |