[f. as prec. + -AN.] One who has the custody of a thing or person; a guardian, keeper.
[Not in Todd 1818, Webster 1828, or Craig 1847.]
1781. in Sel. Papers Twining Fam. (1887), 58. The custodian of the galleries.
1836. Dickens, Sk. Boz (ed. 3), II. 205. To act as custodian of the person of the supposed lunatic.
1872. Bagehot, Physics & Pol. (1876), 28. The close oligarchy, the patriciate … recognised as the authorised custodian of the fixed law.
Hence Custodianship, the office of a custodian.
1858. Sat. Rev., VI. 4 Dec., 550/1. Loading the library table and increasing the responsibility of Mr. Miller’s custodianship.
1883. Times, 1 June, 4/5. The public should contribute to … a well-organized custodianship for such treasures.
