fossor

American  

[fos-er] / ˈfɒs ər /

noun

1. (in the early Christian church) a minor clergyman employed as a gravedigger.

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Etymology

Origin of fossor

1850–55; < Latin: digger ( Late Latin: gravedigger), equivalent to fod ( ere ) to dig + -tor -tor, with dt > ss

Example Sentences

He had carefully noted the distance he had come since leaving the mouth of the passage along which Severus and the fossor, he was now satisfied, had proceeded.

From Jovinian A Story of the Early Days of Papal Rome by Kingston, William Henry Giles

Now and then a system of regularity is introduced, as if the fossor, or digger, who was a recognized officer of the early Church, had had the leisure for preparing graves before they were needed.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 01, No. 05, March, 1858 by Various

"Out with your lights!" exclaimed, in a muffled tone, Hilarus, the fossor.

From Valeria The Martyr of the Catacombs by Withrow, William Henry

The fossor ran as fast as his aged limbs would allow; his companions supporting him.

From Jovinian A Story of the Early Days of Papal Rome by Kingston, William Henry Giles

Haec cum legas tu, bellus ille et urbanus 10Suffenus unus caprimulgus aut fossor Rursus videtur; tantum abhorret ac mutat.

From The Carmina of Caius Valerius Catullus by Burton, Richard Francis, Sir