factotum
2
9.9
- noun
- /fækˈtoʊtəm/
- Archaic
:
factótum
- At the end of the narrative, Sigge no longer serves as an underpaid factotum in her company's expanding media empire, but her departure will have no impact on future developments in that field.
- a general factotum
Examples
-
Its major omission is the role of Valerie Jarrett, Obama's senior counselor and general factotum.
Blog text (6) -
Each moves in turn to Maranzano, hands over his envelope to the factotum, and kneels to kiss the ring.
Fiction book (1991) -
The grinning office factotum appeared at the door again.
Fiction book (1994) -
As class factotum, first, I'd like to just say welcome to Horace Green.
-
Instead, he becomes a useful and trusted factotum for the Santa Cruz household.
Academic text (1992) -
I'm Eddie Powers, Donovan's factotum, meaning, "Man Friday."
-
Nobody loved him, but that promise had always tempted me to endure his ugly ways and hang on as his general factotum and favorite punching bag.
Fiction book (2002) -
Another familiar figure from the Antwerp art world who modeled for Van Dyck's apostles was Abraham Grapheus, a calligrapher and factotum of the city.
Academic text (2015) -
The factotum dragged back and forth serving a dinner of mutton, mealie rice, and pumpkin they ate with satisfaction, as people retain a taste for the dishes of their country that others would find dull and unappetizing.
Fiction book (1994) -
Tod is employed as a general factotum for an award-winning novelist in Hernando, Mississippi.
Synonyms
1
3.9
A man who does small repair jobs around the home
1
5.2
A person who does many different jobs and fills in when needed
1
4.3
A person who can do many different jobs but is not an expert
How Versatile
Surface Forms
Etymology
Factotum comes from Latin parts fac- meaning 'to do' and totum meaning 'everything', so it literally means 'to do everything'. Imagine a general helper who fixes things, runs errands and handles many jobs for someone else, which is why a factotum is a person who does many different tasks.