One who measures or weighs coal; formerly an official of the corporation of London appointed to superintend the measuring of the coal brought into the London market.
1648. C. Walker, Hist. Independ., I. 170. A Cole-meeter’s place worth 200l. per annum.
1724. Lond. Gaz., No. 6274/6. They intend to Lett by Lease the Place of one of the 15 Sea-Coal-Meeters of this City.
1766. Entick, London, IV. 328. These 15 coal-meters have each four deputies or under coal-meters.
1861. Mayhew, Lond. Labour, III. 260. The coalmeters weigh the coals on board ship. They are employed by a committee of coalfactors and coalmerchants. The committee is elected by the trade.
