book-maker
(ˈbʊkmeɪkə(r))
† 1. One who makes a book (as a material product); a printer and book-binder. Obs.
| 1515 in Glasscock Rec. St. Michaels, Bp. Stortford 34 Item pd. to th bokemaker and his servaunt..xxxiijs. iiijd. 1711 J. Distaff Character of Don Sacheverellio (bookseller's note), Printed and Sold by Francis Higgins, Bookmaker. |
2. One who composes or compiles a book; often disparagingly, one who makes a trade of this.
| 1533 More Apol. I. Wks. 928/2 For of newe booke makers there are now moe then ynough. 1841 Emerson Man the Reformer Wks. 1875 II. 241 Better that the book should not be quite so good, and the bookmaker abler and better. 1849 Earl Lonsdale in Croker Papers (1884) III. xxvi. 202 He [Arthur Young] was spoilt by the success of his early works, and became a bookmaker. 1878 Morley Diderot I. 218 Cases in which he reproduced, as any mere bookmaker might have done, the thought of his authority. |
3. A professional betting man. Cf. book n. 11.
| 1862 Lond. Rev. 30 Aug. 188 Betting there seemed to be none..we could not perceive a single book or book-maker. 1880 W. Day Racehorse in Train. xxiv. 245 Bookmakers pursue a legitimate and lucrative trade by laying against all horses as they appear in the market. |