factotum
[ fak-toh-tuhm ]
/ fækˈtoʊ təm /
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noun
a person, as a handyman or servant, employed to do all kinds of work around the house.
any employee or official having many different responsibilities.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of factotum
1560–70; <Medieval Latin, equivalent to Latin fac make, do (imperative of facere) + tōtum, neuter of tōtus all
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for factotum
factotum
/ (fækˈtəʊtəm) /
noun
a person employed to do all kinds of work
Word Origin for factotum
C16: from Medieval Latin, from Latin fac! do! + tōtum, from tōtus (adj) all
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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