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See the Oxford Univerisy
Press Web site. You can actually purchase the 2nd edition of the OED
on CD-ROM for Windows
or Macintosh
for around $400 (rather than $3000 for the hardbound volumes). Also, check
out The Oxford English Dictionary Online.
It is still being developed, but it promises incredible online resources.
bombast, v. arch.
factotum (__________). [ad. med.L. factotum (f. fac, imper. of facere to do + totum the whole) in phrases Johannes Factotum, Dominus Factotum, Magister factotum, which appear to be renderings in etymological equivalents of Romanic expressions = John Do-everything, Mr. Do-Everything; cf. It. fa il tutto, fattutto of similar formation. These phrases are found in 16th c. in Eng., and Frère Jean Factotum (Paré a 1590), Dominus Factotum also in Fr.; their source has not yet been discovered. The word factotum without the prefixed words is used in German (as neuter n.) from 16th c. (Grimm cites Fischart 1579), and in Fr. and It. from 17th c.] 1. a. In L. phrases: Dominus factotum, used for one who controls everything, a ruler with uncontrolled power; Johannes factotum, a Jack of all trades, a would-be universal genius. Also fig. b. One who meddles with everything, a busybody. c. In mod. sense: A man of all-work; also, a servant who has the entire management of his masters affairs. 1566 Gascoigne Supposes iii. iv. (1572) 31 He had the disbursing..of al my masters affaires..he was Magister fac totum. [Ariosto 1525: era fa il tutto.] 1584 R. Parsons Leicesters Commw. 65 Throughout all England my L. of Leycester is taken for Dominus fac totum. 1592 Greene Groatsw. Wit E iv, Being an absolute Johannes fac totum [he] is in his owne conceit the onely Shake-scene in a Countrey. 1618 S. Ward Serm. Exod. xviii. 21­22, 65 Is there no mean between busibodies and tell-clockes, between fac-totum and fayt neant?
upstart (________), n. and a. [up- 2, 3.] A. n. 1. One who has newly or suddenly risen in position or importance; a new-comer in respect of rank or consequence; a parvenu; = start-up ppl. a. and n.1 1. 1555 Instit. Gentl. C iiij b, These gentlemen are nowe called vpstartes, a terme lately inuented by such as pondered not ye groundes of honest meanes of rising or commyng to promocion. 1577 B. Googe Heresbachs Husb. i. 46 b, The newe vpstart; that takes vpon him the name of a gentleman. 1592 Greene Vpst. Courtier B 4, Mary gyp goodman vp~start, who made your father a gentleman? B. adj. 1. a. Of things: Lately come into existence or notice; new-fangled. 1565 Stapleton Fortr. Faith 9 The grounde and foundation of all your vpsterte ghospell. Ibid. 94 Their small secret, and late vpstert congregation. 1593 Bilson Govt. Christs Ch. 286 This up-start fansie is far from Gods ordinance. 1607 J. Norden Surv. Dial. i. 18 Surveying..is an upstart arte found out of late. b. Characteristic of upstarts. 1593 Marlowe Edw. II, i. iv. 336 Think you that we can brooke this vpstart pride? 1603 B. Jonson Sejanus v. viii, It is a note Of vpstart greatnesse, to..watch For these poore trifles. 2. Of persons, families, etc.: Lately or suddenly risen to prominence or dignity. 1566 Stapleton Ret. Untr. Jewel i. 8 Your late vpstert masters of Germany and Geneua. 1586 J. Ferne Blaz. Gentrie 260 He will..passe vp and downe the streates of London in a side gowne, like vnto some newe vp-start Legist. 3. Rising on end. Obs.1 1590 Spenser F.Q. iii. x. 54 He..ran away,..With vp~start haire, and staring eyes dismay. Hence 'upstartism, 'upstartness. nonce-wds.
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