Also 3 tyelere, 5 tylare, tyller, tiller, tiellere, teyller, teler, 6 tyloure, tylar, teiler, 7 tylere, 5–9 tyler. [f. TILE sb.1 and v. + -ER1.]
1. One who covers the roofs of buildings with tiles, a tile-layer; also formerly, a tile-maker.
a. 1300[?]. Deed, in Shropsh. Arch. Soc. Trans. (1878), I. 368. De domo mea … que est inter domum Willi le galeys et domum Martini le Tyelere.
1415. Ordo pagin. ludi Corp. Cr., in York Myst., Introd. p. xxi. Tylers.
1467. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 374. That euery tyler marke his tyle.
1483. Cath. Angl., 379/1. A Teler,… tegulator.
1562. Act 5 Eliz., c. 4 § 30. Tharte or Occupation of a … Bricklayer, Tyler, Slater, Healyer, Tilemaker.
1663. Gerbier, Counsel, 51. The Tiler, who often removes ten Tiles to lay two new.
1735. Berkeley, Querist, § 399. Whether … tilers, plumbers, and glaziers would not find employment if … building prevailed?
1824. Landor, Imag. Conv., xii. Wks. 1846, I. 49. Like tilers, in mending one hole, they make another.
2. Freemasonry. (Usually tyler.) The door-keeper who keeps the uninitiated from intruding upon the secrecy of the lodge or meeting.
c. 1742. in Hone, Every-day Bk. (1827), II. 525. Two Tylers, or Guarders … are to guard the Lodge, with a drawn Sword, from all Cowens and Eves-droppers.
1762. Key to Free-Masonry (1776), 39. As soon as you come to the Door of the Lodge, you will find the Tyler on the Outside, with a drawn Sword in his Hand, and a white Apron on.
1888. [see TILING 1 b].
† 3. (See quot.) slang. Obs.
1659. Caterpillers of Nation Anat., Tilers, or Cloyers, equivalent to shoplifters.
4. A tile-kiln.
1877. in Knight, Dict. Mech.
5. A cat that frequents the tiles or roofs.
1905. Violet Hunt, Autobiog. Cat, ix. 108. A nice tiler and mouser would be more appropriate.
† 6. ? A pimple. Obs. rare–1.
1660. Howell, Parly of Beasts, 25. [The Ass says] Our very Urine is found to be good against Tilers or Morphews in Ladies faces.
