webster

¹ American  

[web-ster] / ˈwɛb stər /

noun

Archaic.

1. a weaver.

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Webster ² American  

[web-ster] / ˈwɛb stər /

noun

1. Daniel, 1782–1852, U.S. statesman and orator.

2. John, c1580–1625?, English dramatist.

3. Margaret, 1905–72, British stage director, producer, and actress, born in the U.S.

4. Noah, 1758–1843, U.S. lexicographer and essayist.

5. William H(edgcock) born 1924, U.S. judge and government official: director of the FBI 1978–87 and of the CIA 1987–91.

6. a city in central Massachusetts.

7. Informal. Also Webster's. a dictionary of the English language.

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Webster ¹ British  

/ ˈwɛbstə /

noun

1. Daniel. 1782–1852, US politician and orator

2. John. ?1580–?1625, English dramatist, noted for his revenge tragedies The White Devil (?1612) and The Duchess of Malfi (?1613)

3. Noah. 1758–1843, US lexicographer, famous for his American Dictionary of the English Language (1828)

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webster ² British  

/ ˈwɛbstə /

noun

1. an archaic word for weaver

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Etymology

Origin of webster

before 1100; Middle English; Old English webbestre. See web, -ster

Example Sentences

If there is to be a stubborn print holdout, it seems right that it is Merriam-Webster, which traces its lineage to Noah Webster’s “American Dictionary of the English Language” from 1828.

From The Wall Street Journal

Webster is the man definitively responsible for removing the u’s from “colour” and “honour,” for example.

From The Wall Street Journal

After Webster died, in 1843, the rights to his work were purchased by the entrepreneurial Merriam brothers, George and Charles, who expanded on the dictionary’s definitions, smoothed away its idiosyncrasies and fashioned it into a popular reference guide.

From The Wall Street Journal

Increasing the confusion was a 1915 court decision that ruled that the name Webster could not be trademarked, so rivals have included Random House Webster’s Dictionary and Webster’s New World Dictionary.

From The Wall Street Journal

If Khawaja does return, it would likely be at the expense of batter Josh Inglis, though Australia could leave both men out in favour of all-rounder Beau Webster in order to provide cover for the returning Cummins.

From BBC