[f. as prec. + -SHIP.]
The office or position of factor (senses 3, 4).
1599. Hakluyt, Voy., II. 162. What you shall doe in Turkie besides the businesse of your Factorship.
1611. Cotgr., A factorship; or, the dutie and charge of a factor, facturerie, factorerie.
a. 1657. R. Loveday, Letters (1663), 188. I was truly glad to hear my friend had so happily pleased my Lady L. in his Factorship.
1730–6. in Bailey (folio).
1834. H. Miller, Scenes & Leg., xxiv. (1876), 346. In a few years after he had appointed him to the factorship, he disposed of all his lands to a Mr. William Urquhart of Meldrum—a transaction which is said to have had the effect of converting his antipathy into regret.
1885. Manch. Exam., 7 Jan., 4/6. £2,294 8s. 5d. had accumulated during his factorship.
fig. 1888. Pall Mall G., 2 Oct., 7/2. A class which contributes pretty largely to the factorship of immorality and sin.
