factotum

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A person having many diverse activities or responsibilities.
  2. A general servant.
  3. A person employed to do all sorts of duties.
  4. A jack of all trades.
  5. A large decorative printing block with a central space into which any letter can be inserted, used to mark the beginning of a chapter of a book in early printing.

Pronunciation

/fækˈtəʊ.təm/ /fækˈtoʊ.təm/ en-us-factotum.ogg

Word forms

factotum factotums factota

Etymology

Ellipsis of domine fac totum, dominus fac totum /dominus factotum (“absolute ruler; head servant”), from Medieval Latin domine fac tōtum (“O Lord, do everything”), also with substition of nominative dominus for vocative domine.

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