subs. (old).—1.  A bed maker in chambers; and hence (2) a SMOCK SERVANT (q.v.).

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  1611.  L. BARRY, Ram Alley [DODSLEY, Old Plays, 1874, x. 275].

                    She is my LAUNDRESS,
And by this light, no puisne Inn-a-Court
But keeps a LAUNDRESS at his command
To do him service.

2

  1614.  BRETON, I Would and Would Not [GROSART (1879), i. s. 9. st. 61]. Some odde Ladde or LANDRESSE finde me out.

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  1621.  BURTON, The Anatomy of Melancholy, ed. 1893, i. Thou shalt have (Tamerlane-like) Kings to draw thy coach, Queens to be thy LAUNDRESSES, Emperors thy footstools.

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  1636.  DAVENANT, The Platonic Lovers, iii. 1.

        He … commits Idolatry
To every LAUNDRESS in the house.

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  1639.  MAYNE, The Citye Match, ii. 3.

        From country madams to your glover’s wife,
Or LAUNDRESS.

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