'Farmer-general' definitions:

Definition of 'Farmer-general'

From: GCIDE
  • Farmer \Farm"er\ (f[aum]rm"[~e]r), n. [Cf. F. fermier.] One who farms; as: (a) One who hires and cultivates a farm; a cultivator of leased ground; a tenant. --Smart. (b) One who is devoted to the tillage of the soil; one who cultivates a farm; an agriculturist; a husbandman. (c) One who takes taxes, customs, excise, or other duties, to collect, either paying a fixed annuual rent for the privilege; as, a farmer of the revenues. (d) (Mining) The lord of the field, or one who farms the lot and cope of the crown. [1913 Webster]
  • Farmer-general [F. fermier-general], one to whom the right of levying certain taxes, in a particular district, was farmed out, under the former French monarchy, for a given sum paid down.
  • Farmers' satin, a light material of cotton and worsted, used for coat linings. --McElrath.
  • The king's farmer (O. Eng. Law), one to whom the collection of a royal revenue was farmed out. --Burrill. [1913 Webster]