Meaning of footmanship | Babel Free

Definitions

1. The post or position of footman; the skill or art of a footman.
   historical, uncountable
2. The skill or ability to run (of humans or animals).
   archaic, uncountable

Examples

“As the precious ‘lad’ grew older, and divers indoor potentates died off, the housekeeper had power to push her nephew on to pageship, footmanship, and divers other similar crafts, even to the final post of butler […]”

“[…] a rich-liveried footman was lounging in an easy chair, with his heels as high as his head […] and from this comfortable position he budged not an inch at the importunate summons […]. “What!” cried the primitive and provincial serving man, “don’t you answer the drawing-room bell?” “Not unless they persewere,” was the cool response of his footmanship.”

“[…] I think […] you’d better change your work for something out of doors, where I won’t trouble you so much. Can you do anything else but footmanship?”

“They too were ranged in order of rank: four chamberlains, four Hussars, four Chasseurs, and four butlers—these were the degrees within the hierarchy of footmanship.”

“Both twaine of them doe straine themselues and lay on footemanship, Who may best runne with all his force the tother to outstrip,”

“[…] your Foales by scoping & galloping thereon, shall be brought to such nimblenesse, strength, and true footemanship, that they shall not only haue a most excellent braue trotte, but also during theyr lyues […] they shalbe frée from that foule vice of stumbling.”

“I’ll raise a kennel of hounds, shall hunt him so, As all his footmanship shall scarce prevail To keep his carcase from their bloody fangs.”

“And yet for All That, says the Fox, I have Baffled more of ’em with My Wiles and my Shifts, then ever You did with your Footmanship.”

“The People in [Worcestershire] have been more particularly famous than any other for good Footmanship; and there have been, and still are among them, some of the fleetest Runners in England […]”

CEFR level