grower
(ˈgrəʊə(r))
[f. grow v. + -er1.]
1. Of a plant (usually with adj. having advb. force): One that grows (in the specified way).
| 1562 J. Heywood Prov. & Epigr. (1867) 212 Ye..pining graffes, great growers as can bee. 1674 N. Fairfax Bulk & Selv. 128 The waxings and sproutings forth, which are found in all growers. 1758 Ellis in Phil. Trans. L. 442 Many people, who have been in North America, agree, that it is but a slow grower there. 1796 C. Marshall Garden. xix. (1813) 333 The balm of Gilead and hemlock sorts [of pine] are the lowest growers. 1854 S. Thomson Wild Fl. iii. (ed. 4) 293 The sea-kale, a grower in the sand. 1878 R. Thompson's Gardener's Assist. 694 Eupatorium, a useful genus of tall..composite plants; remarkably free growers. |
b. ‘The lower part of a growing thorn used in making hedges, a thick limb of a thorn hedge’ (E. Dial. Dict.).
| 1829 Sporting Mag. XXIV. 54 A strong grower catching his knee, he is displaced from his saddle. 1892 ‘Rusticus Expectans’ in Field 26 Mar. LXXIX. 436/3 Mr. C ― fell at the first fence, being swept off by a grower. |
2. Of a person: One who grows (produce).
| a 1687 Petty Pol. Arith. x. (1691) 113 The growers of Commodities, do commonly trust them to such Merchants or Factors. 1776 Adam Smith W.N. iii. iv. (1869) I. 410 Its rude produce being charged with less carriage, the traders could pay the growers a better price for it. 1787 Marshall Norfolk (1795) II. 380 Growers, farmers. Great growers, capital farmers. 1817 Parl. Debates 784 A..petition..signed by..respectable growers of wool in the county of Essex. 1873 C. Robinson N.S. Wales 19 Other growers state the yield to be at 60 tons [of sugar] for first crop. |