Dictionary of Old Occupations

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Definitions of jobs Abactor - Aeronaut

Abactor: 19th century US legal term for a cattle rustler.

Abbess: female leader of a religious community based at a Nunnery or Convent; a Mother Superior.

Abbott: male leader of a religious community based at an Abbey or Monastery.

Abigail: early 19th century slang term for a Lady's Mid in waiting.

Able Seaman: an experienced seaman with more than two years at sea. More skilled than an ordinary seaman and able to perform duties common to all May denote a military or civilian position.

Abram: slang term for a beggar from medieval times until the 1800s who faked insanity.

Academician: an educator, or a member of an academy, university or college.

Acater: supplier of provisions, a Victualler.

Accipitary: falconer, who trained birds of prey for the ancient sport of hunting. Comes from the word accipiter, which is a genus of birds of prey.

Accomptant: alternative spelling of accountant.

Accoucheur: a male obstetrician, who assisted women in childbirth. Essentially a male midwife.

Accoutrement Maker: maker or supplier of military dress and clothing accessories. Derives from the word accoutre meaning to supply military equipment.

Ackerman: alternate spelling of Acreman, a bonded agricultural worker who performed the duties of a ploughman.

Acolyte: layperson who performs minor duties assisting the clergy during a religious services, for example, by carrying crosses or candles.

Copyright: Jane Hewitt. This dictionary is authorised for use on www.familyresearcher.co.uk only.

Acreman: a bonded man working as a ploughman for a manor.

Actuary: Essentially a clerk who handled financial records such as keeping business accounts.

Adjutant: officer who acts as an administrative assistant to a more senior officer. Comes from the Latin verb meaning 'to help'.

Adjutant general: chief administrative officer to a general. The actual military rank of this position varied over different time periods.

Administrator: person appointed by the court to settle the estate of a deceased person who died intestate or without naming an executor.

Advertisement Conveyancer: carried advertisements attached to a Sandwich Board.

Advocate: a professional representative or pleader in court or at a tribunal, or a Scottish Barrister.

Advowee: a patron holding the right of advowsun, meaning the right to present a candidate for a vacant religious benefice.

Advowson: a person holding the right of advowson, i.e. an advowee.

Aeronaut: trapeze artist in a circus, or an early aviator / balloonist.

This dictionary is my own work, and copyright Jane Hewitt. I sometimes find unauthorised (i.e. stolen) copies of my website content appearing on other people's websites. If you should read a group of identical glossary definitions elsewhere on the web, consider whether such sites are reputable or not.

The English Abbey Explained (England's Living History) by Trevor Yorke

Using his own drawings, diagrams and photographs, Trevor Yorke explains the history of the abbey and how it was used in the past.

Divided into three parts, the book charts the origins of the abbey, examines the individual parts in detail, and contains a time chart for dating abbeys.

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