goldsmith

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an artisan who makes jewelry and other objects out of gold
  2. noun Irish writer of novels and poetry and plays and essays (1728-1774)

Etymology

From Middle English goldsmith, from Old English goldsmiþ (“goldsmith”), from Proto-Germanic *gulþasmiþaz (“goldsmith”), equivalent to gold + smith. Cognate with Scots goldsmyth, gouldsmeth (“goldsmith”), Saterland Frisian Gouldsmid (“goldsmith”), West Frisian goudsmid (“goldsmith”), Dutch goudsmid (“goldsmith”), German Goldschmied (“goldsmith”), Danish guldsmed (“goldsmith”), Swedish guldsmed (“goldsmith”), Icelandic gullsmiður (“goldsmith”). Eclipsed non-native Middle English orbatour, orbatur (“goldsmith”) and orfever, orfevre (“goldsmith”), both borrowed from Old French.

In classic literature

Synonyms

goldworker, gold-worker

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