farmer-general

American  

[fahr-mer-jen-er-uhl] / ˈfɑr mərˈdʒɛn ər əl /

noun

plural

farmers-general

1. (in France, under the old monarchy) a member of a company of capitalists that farmed certain taxes.

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farmer-general British  

noun

1. (in France before 1789) a member of a group allowed to farm certain taxes

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Other Word Forms

• farmer-generalship noun

Etymology

Origin of farmer-general

1705–15; translation of French fermier-général

Example Sentences

Monsieur P-, the farmer-general, was just as inquisitive about our taxes. 

From A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy by Sterne, Laurence

M. P——, the farmer-general, was just as inquisitive about our taxes.

From The Lock and Key Library Classic Mystery and Detective Stories: Old Time English by Hawthorne, Julian

She declared that the farmer-general had carried to his house at Passy a number of bags filled with gold and silver and that those bags had disappeared a few days before the arrest.

From The Confessions of Arsène Lupin by Leblanc, Maurice

The same officers also attached their own boxes for the receipt of customs to the gates, in lieu of those of the farmer-general.

From Architectural Antiquities of Normandy by Cotman, John Sell

I scribbled a note to the farmer-general, and, leaving it, ran to the stables.

From D'Ri and I by Bacheller, Irving