1. One who supports himself and those dependent upon him by his earnings.
1821. Galt, Ann. Parish, 162 (Jam.). What war is when it comes into our hearths, and among the bread-winners.
1863. Miss Mulock, Mistr. & Maid, xi. 122. Many a young fellow of his age was the stay and bread-winner of some widowed mother or sister.
1880. A. Huth, Buckle, I. iii. 198. The age at which the bread-winners marry.
2. The tool, art or craft with which any one earns his living.
1818. Scott, Br. Lamm., II. 255 (Jam.). ‘I’se gang hame,—and then get my bread-winner’ [a fiddle].
1821. Galt, Ann. Parish, 174 (Jam.). An aged woman, who has but the distaff for her bread-winner.
1870. Lowell, Among My Books, Ser. I. (1873), 190. That art which was … the bread-winner alike for soul and body.
So Bread-winning vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1875. Helps, Anim. & Mast., vi. 142. Of course, it has nothing to do with bread-winning pursuits.
1879. M. Pattison, Milton, 13. His aim is far above breadwinning.
1879. Geo. Eliot, Theo. Such, xvi. 290. The sort of public spirit that scamps its bread-winning work.
