Wykmeester, noun

/ˈveɪkmɪəstə(r)/
Forms:
Also Wijkmeester, and with small initial.
Origin:
DutchShow more Dutch Wykmeester, Wijkmeester, wyk or wijk ward, district + meester master.
obs. except in historical contexts
Wardmaster.
c1795 W.S. Van Ryneveld in G.M. Theal Rec. of Cape Col. (1897) I. 249The Aldermen or Wykmeesters. The increase of the Cape Town rendered it necessary to divide it into several parts.., and two Aldermen were appointed to each district.
1799 F. Dundas in G.M. Theal Rec. of Cape Col. (1898) II. 332In each ward or section of the Town, it shall be the duty of each Wykmeester to form a list of the number of Slaves each House can afford in case of need.
1806 Gleanings in Afr. (anon.) 252Every street has its respective wyk-meester, being a respectable house-holder, to act in cases of alarm as a constable, to maintain order, and prevent irregularities.
a1878 J. Montgomery Reminisc. (1981) 71He told us that he could not board us before we had reported ourselves to Mr Bremmer, the wijkmeester or field-cornet.
1926 P.W. Laidler Tavern of Ocean 107Each man so appointed was required to have a board with his rank ‘Wijkmeester’ painted on it affixed to his house.
1975 [see Wardmaster].
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Wykmaster, nounn.Xesibe, plural nounpl. n.
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