farmer-general

English

Etymology

Calque of French fermier général

Noun

farmer-general (plural farmers-general)

1. (historical) A member of a privileged association in France, before the French Revolution, who collected duties on behalf of the king, along with bonus fees for themselves.
   • 1810, George Ensor, On National Government, volume 1, page 2:

     In the same tone a farmer general in France, who had probably beggared a province, and whose rapacity had hastened the late revolution, exclaimed, "What need of reformation?" To such men I can make no reply […]