† church-master dial.
[cf. Ger. kirch-, kirchenmeister.]
Southernized form of kirk-master, a northern equivalent of churchwarden.
| [1429 Test. Ebor. (1836) I. 417 To the kyrkmasters a nobill.] 1484 Churchw. Acc. Wigtoft, nr. Boston (Nichols 1797) 77 John Brigge yonger, and John Barre Chirche Maisters of the paryshe chirche of Wigtoft. 1566 in Peacock Eng. Ch. Furniture (1866) 74 Item the aulter stones broken for pave⁓ment..in the times of the forenamed churche Masters 1562. 1886 Cole S.W. Lincoln. Gloss. (E.D.S.) s.v., They tell'd me he were Chu'chmester to-year. |