factotum

[ fak-toh-tuhm ]

noun

1. a person, as a handyman or servant, employed to do all kinds of work around the house.
2. any employee or official having many different responsibilities.

factotum

/ fækˈtəʊtəm /

noun

1. a person employed to do all kinds of work

Word History and Origins

Origin of factotum¹

1560–70; < Medieval Latin, equivalent to Latin fac make, do (imperative of facere ) + tōtum, neuter of tōtus all

Word History and Origins

Origin of factotum¹

C16: from Medieval Latin, from Latin fac! do! + tōtum , from tōtus (adj) all

Example Sentences

From that day I became Mr. Moncton's factotum, his confidential clerk, and principal agent.

From Project Gutenberg

Such was Mr. Plimmins, Mr. Plaskwith's factotum, foreman in the shop, assistant editor to the Mercury.

From Project Gutenberg

Ere long he had been taken into the company as an actor, and was soon spoken of as a ‘Johannes Factotum.’

From Project Gutenberg

Peter judged him the factotum of the little household: he knew where the biscuits were kept and the state of the grocer's account.

From Project Gutenberg

I hired as errand boy and general factotum to a small grocer down near the market.

From Project Gutenberg