[f. EMPLOY v. + -ER.] a. One who employs. Const. of. b. spec. One who employs servants, workmen, etc., for wages.
1599. Shaks., Much Ado, V. ii. 31. Troilous the first imploier of pandars.
1668. Child, Disc. Trade (1694), 165 (T.). Owner or employer of much Shiping.
1742. Richardson, Pamela, IV. 103. To present her Imployer with Bills for 500l.
1780. Burke, Œcon. Reform, Wks. III. 286. Making it the interest of the contractor to exert skill for his employers.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), I. i. 21. Agricultural labourers lived in the houses of their employers.
1878. Jevons, Prim. Pol. Econ., 64. Employers are regarded as tyrants who can do just as they like.