[f. FOUND v.3 + -ER1. Cf. OF. (and mod.F.) fondeur.]
1. One who founds or casts metal, or makes articles of cast metal. Often in comb., with the metal or article specified, as bell-, iron-, type-founder.
1402. in Rot. Parl., III. 520. Bartilmew Dekene, Founder.
1560. Bible (Genev.), Jer. vi. 29. The lead is consumed in the fyre: the founder melteth in vaine.
1637. Decree Star Chamber, xxvii. in Arb., Milton’s Areop., 21. That there shall be foure Founders of letters for printing allowed.
1681. Grew, Musæum Reg. Soc., III. iii. 334. Founders add a little [antimony] to their Bell-Metal, to make it more sonorous.
1705. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), V. 581. Her majesties founder has orders to cast 60 heavy cannon, 20 of them with 3 barrells.
1714. Swift, Drapier’s Lett., Wks. 1755, V. II. 28. Let Mr. Wood and his Crew of Founders and Tinkers coin on till there is not an old Kettle left in the Kingdom.
1891. Labour Commission Gloss., s.v. Master founders are the owners or managers of a foundry for making iron or brass castings.
b. One who founds glass.
1853. Ure, Dict. Arts, I. 905. The glass-founder.
1885. Instr. Census Clerks, 89. Glass Manufacture [Workmen employed in] Metal Making: Founder.
2. Comb., as founder’s dust, sand (see quots.).
1858. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, Founders’ Dust, charcoal powder, and coal and coke dust ground fine, and sifted for casting purposes in foundries. Ibid. Founders’ Sand, a species of sand obtained from Lewisham, Kent, and other districts, for making foundry moulds.
