† say mastern.
Obsolete (historical after 17th cent.).
= assay-master n.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > workers with specific materials > metalworker > [noun] > assayer
say master1548
assayer1618
touch warden1644
assay-master1647
prover1683
Master of Assay1706
essayer1870
1548 W. Sharington in S. Haynes Coll. State Papers Ld. Burghley (1740) 63 He hath ben served of Bullyon..by the Say Master and Graver.
1598 J. Stow Suruay of London 235 Gregorie Rokesley chiefe say maister of the kings mints.
1634 in E. Bain Merchant & Craft Guilds (1887) 281 That quhasumever presumes to receave the benifyte of ane frieman sall have twa sey maisteris to awaitt on hym quhill his maisterstick be maid.
1680 R. Boyle Sceptical Chymist (new ed.) vi. 401 This Gentleman having brought that Earth to the publick Say-Masters [etc.].
1721 J. Strype Eccl. Memorials II. ii. iii. 266 The treasurer, comptroller and seymaster of the late erected mints.
1888 Northern Notes & Queries Sept. 47 Two of their members were appointed to act as say masters to judge the work when done.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2015; most recently modified version published online September 2019).
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