Dictionary

framesmith en · NOUN

Etymology

Etymology tree English frame Proto-Germanic *smiþaz Proto-West Germanic *smiþ Old English smiþ Middle English smyth English smith English framesmith From frame + smith.

Meanings

1. A maker of frames.
2. An artisan who fabricated and maintained the framework knitting equipment which was used historically in the textile industry
   • WANTED, a TURNER and FITTER, who has been used to building Circular Frames. No one need apply who does not thoroughly understand his business.— Application to be made to No. 646, Review, Office, Nottingham. 1852 December 24, “To Framesmiths”, in Nottingham Review, volume 45, number 2347, Nottingham: Richard Sutton, page 5:
   • The Framesmith's Arms is named for those who built and maintained the equipment used by framework knitters in the hosiery trade. 2026 June 10 (last accessed), “Monkey, Nottingham”, in CAMRA, Campaign for Real Ale, archived from the original on 05 Oct 2025:
   • ...but how many of our present workmen would have been unemployed? How many framesmiths, setters up, and bobbin-makers, would have lost for a considerable time, a profitable labour? 1819 August 20, R.H., “To the Bobbin Net Manufacturers of Nottingham”, in Nottingham Review, volume 12, number 581, Nottingham: Charles Sutton, page 1:

Forms