caster|ˈkɑːstə(r),-æ-|[f.cast v. + -er1.]1. a.One who casts, in various senses of the verb.1382WyclifProv.xxiii. 7In licnesse of a deuynour and of a fals castere.
1552Huloet,Brayder or caster in teeth.
1553Act 1 MarySess.3 viii. §1Forcers of Wools, Casters of Wools, and Sorters of Wools.
1580BaretAlv. C 171A caster of lottes, sortitor.
1598Florio,Abbachiere, caster of accountes.
1611Cotgr.,Mathematicien, a caster of Natiuities.
1623BinghamXenophon 117The caster of the first stone.
1669G. EtheregeLove in Tub ii. iii,The Caster wins if he fling above Ten with Doublets upon three dice.
a1719Addison (J.),Set up for a caster of fortunate figures.
1840ThackerayCatherine iii,Three to two against the caster[of dice].
1856R. VaughanMystics (1860) II. viii. iii. 49Casters of horoscopes and makers of cunning toys.
1885Harper'sMag.776/1The caster stands on a platform.
1887Athenæum 414Artificial casters of the evil eye.
b.also with adverb following.c1340Cursor M. 16703 (Trin.)Heil þou temple caster doun.
1601Deacon & WalkerSpirits and Dev. To Rdr. 16A coniurour or caster foorth of spirits and diuels.
1617S. CollinsDef.Bp.Ely 304They are made to be casters on of the perfume.
1836E. HowardR. Reefer xxvi,The caster-up of sums.
2.spec.a.One who casts metal; a founder.1535CoverdaleJer.x. 14Confunded be all casters of ymages.
1662GerbierPrinc.31Architect, Sculptor, and Caster in Brass.
1865Mr. Cowper inParlt. 12 May,The model of the first lion is completed, and now in the hands of the casters.
1884G. M. FennSweet Mace III. vi. 84Woe to the caster of cannon.
b.One employed in shovelling or ‘casting’ coals from the keels into the ships (on the Wear).1793Ship Owner's Manual (1795) 141Many seamen, keelmen, casters.
1815J. SykesLocal Records (1832–57)A number of misguided persons, principally keelmen and casters on the River Wear.
1846McCullochAcc.Brit.Emp. (1854) I. 601Keel-men, coal-boatmen, casters, and trimmers.
1861Act 24 & 25Vict.c. §40Whosoever shall..prevent any seaman, keelman, or caster from working at his lawful trade.
1882J. GreenTales & Ballads of Wearside (1885) 229The first coal staiths..erected at Sunderland..1815; but the keelmen and casters..pulled them to the ground.
1888Sunderland Daily Echo 22 Mar. 2/5Casters and trimmers..their work was to cast the coals from the keels into the ships.
c.One who takes or makes a model by running some liquid or forcing a plastic substance into a mould.1921Dict.Occup.Terms (1927) §105Potters; ware-makers, casters and finishers.
Ibid.§414Caster, takes plaster cast of foot where any special form of boot is required, as in case of malformation, etc.
d.(Seequot.)1921Dict.Occup.Terms (1927) §049Caster, examines coals sent from screens, and removes splints, i.e. slaty coal, in readiness for sale as house coal.
e.Typogr.=casting-machine (b)s.v.castingvbl.n.4.1902CensusBull.(U.S.)No.216 59/2The caster and setter resembles a sewing machine, being but little larger.
1921Caster attendant[see casting-machines.v.castingvbl.n.4].
1973S. JennettMaking ofBks.(ed.5) iv. 77The formative parts of the caster are the matrix case, the mould, and the wedges controlling the mould blade, and thus the width of the mould opening.
3.Cant. ‘A cloke’ (Harman). ? Obs.1567HarmanCaveat 77For want of their Casters and Togemans.
1609DekkerLanthorne & Candle-L.Wks.1885 III. 199. 1640 W. M. Wandering Jew (1857) 22A poore Alehouse is your Inne..a Plimouth cloake your Caster.
1690in B. E.Dict.Cant. Crew.
1725inNew Cant.Dict.
4.colloq.[f.castppl.a. + -er1, as in deader.]=cast one.1859LangWand. India 144The horse which drew the buggy had been a caster..a horse considered no longer fit for the cavalry or horse artillery, and sold by public auction, after being branded with the letter R on the near shoulder.
5.See castor.
