Dictionary

nurseman en · NOUN

Etymology

From nurse + -man.

Meanings

1. A man employed to care for children.
   • Nursemen and nursemaids with a vocation for child-care, will tend the infants until they begin work/play at about 2 years old in miniature workshops (their first ‘job’ being pea-sorting). 1988, Diana H[ilary] Coole, “Socialism: Utopian and Feminist”, in Women in Political Theory: From Ancient Misogyny to Contemporary Feminism, Sussex: Wheatsheaf Books; Boulder, Colo.: Lynne Rienner Publishers, →ISBN, page 176:
   • In Blackburn housewives are finding it almost impossible to get nursemaids. So they are employing old men instead.[…]Meanwhile aged, bearded “nursemen” may be seen in the streets and gardens of Blackburn made young again by sharing the games and ranks of their youthful charges. 1907 October, “The Jester and the World: His Comments, Humorous and Satirical, on Events and Incidents of Every Day”, in The Pandex of the Press, series II, volume VI, number 4, section “Old Men as Nurses: British Matrons, Unable to Get Girls, Engage Workhouse Inmates”, page 494:
   • Devoted little nursemaids and nursemen assist with the feeding, and woe to the misguided child who dares to encroach on another’s particular privilege. 1972, C. E. Collett, “Rearing a Potential Winner—Making Life Worthwhile—The Necessity of Companionship”, in The Chow Chow, New York, N.Y.: Arco Publishing Company, Inc., →ISBN, page 74:
   • “But why does he send you here with that blessed kid?” asked the young lady. “For the purpose of moulding the baby’s mind,” replied the nurseman. 1894, Walter Browne, “Utopia. A. D. 2894”, in “2894”; or, The Fossil Man (A Mid-Winter Night’s Dream), New York: G. W. Dillingham, page 69:
   • […]; the rickshaw “boys” and the white-robed coolies, the Indian attendants at club and hotel, the Zulu nursemaids (nursemen in this case), all combine to give the city a distinctive character. 1909, Frank R[ichardson] Cana, South Africa from the Great Trek to the Union, London: Chapman & Hall, Ltd., page 281:
   • Danby, the nurseman, was cautioned against kissing, or permitting kisses from the little girl (still the baby of the Evelyn family); 1859, Oliné Keese [pen name; Caroline Leakey], “Port Arthur.—The Settlement.”, in The Broad Arrow: Being Passages from the History of Maida Gwynnham, a Lifer, volume II, London: Richard Bentley, page 318:
   • Then every one was complaining about the high price of labor, and it was supposed that a Chinese “nurseman,” at two dollars and a half a month, would be a decided improvement over a French bonne with watery eyes and a Corkonian accent, and that a cook who could make at least tolerable dishes at four dollars a month would be better than one who charged seventy-five dollars for the privilege of spoiling provisions. 1879 April, David D. Porter, “The Chinese in America—Present and Future, Etc.”, in The United Service. A Quarterly Review of Military and Naval Affairs., volume I, number II, Philadelphia, Pa.: Lewis R. Hamersly & Co., page 311:
   • Or sometimes doesn’t: the squeals of disgruntled piglets can be heard from far off, but whenever a baby cries there are nursemaids – or nursemen – on hand to take it back for a soothing word or two. 2010, Hilary Bradt, Slow Devon & Exmoor: Local, Characterful Guides to Britain’s Special Places, Bradt Travel Guides Ltd; Alastair Sawday Publishing Co Ltd; The Globe Pequot Press Inc, →ISBN, page 73:

Forms

Coordinates

nursemaid