English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
Login Flashcards
noun Uncommon

webster

WEHBS-tuh
Quiz me More like this

Webster (noun) means an old term for a weaver, originally referring specifically to a woman who wove cloth. Example: “In medieval records, a "webster" often appeared alongside other trade names like "baker" and "smith".”

noun
1
An old term for a weaver, originally referring specifically to a woman who wove cloth.
"A Derbyshire webster who proposed to cure a lunatic with a paper charm in the reign of Charles I demanded £3 down, and £3 more when the patient was cured." — Keith Thomas, Religion and the Decline of Magic (1971)
"In medieval records, a "webster" often appeared alongside other trade names like "baker" and "smith"."

How to use webster

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn archaic word for someone who weaves cloth for a living, now surviving mainly as a surname.

Memory tip

You will mostly meet this word today as the surname Webster, not as an everyday job title.

Trace the full origin ↓
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like webster.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
websters
Test yourself on “webster” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

In medieval records, a "_____" often appeared alongside other trade names like "baker" and "smith".

Etymology

From Old English webbestre, the feminine form of webba ("weaver") — the "-ster" ending originally marked a female worker, as in "spinster".

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

View more →
weaveress

Frequently asked questions

What does “webster” mean?
The word “webster” means an old term for a weaver, originally referring specifically to a woman who wove cloth. In plain terms, an archaic word for someone who weaves cloth for a living, now surviving mainly as a surname.
How do you pronounce “webster”?
“Webster” is pronounced WEHBS-tuh (/ˈwɛbstə/ in IPA).
How do you use “webster” in a sentence?
Here is “webster” used in a sentence: “In medieval records, a "webster" often appeared alongside other trade names like "baker" and "smith".”
What part of speech is “webster”?
“Webster” is a noun.
Where does the word “webster” come from?
The word “webster” comes from Old English. From Old English webbestre, the feminine form of webba ("weaver") — the "-ster" ending originally marked a female worker, as in "spinster".
Is “webster” a common word?
“Webster” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What did the word webster originally mean?
Webster was an old term for a weaver, and it originally referred specifically to a woman who wove cloth, distinguishing her from a male weaver.
Is webster related to the surname Webb?
Yes, both webster and Webb derive from weaving occupations in medieval English, with webster specifically denoting a female weaver and Webb serving as a more general occupational surname.
Is webster still used to mean weaver today?
No, webster as a term for a weaver is archaic and no longer in everyday use; today the word is mostly recognized as a surname rather than an occupational term.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include webster:

Words that start with W