allwork

Noun

allwork (countable and uncountable, plural allworks)

1. (uncountable) Work of all kinds; general purpose tasks.
   • A dark and tyrannical count; an aged crone of a house-keeper, the depositart of many a family legend; a garrulous waiting-maid; a gay and light-hearted valet; a villain or two of allwork; and a heroine , fulfilled with all perfections, and subjected to all manner of hazards, from the stock in trade...1826, Walter Scott, The Works of Walter Scott, Esq - Volume 4, page 67
   • Mr. Giles acted in the double capacity of butler and steward to the old lady of the mansion; and Brittles was a lad of allwork, who, having entered her service a mere child, was treated as a promising young boy still, though he was something past thirty.1839, Charles Dickens, The Adventures of Oliver Twist, page 215
2. (countable) A general-purpose servant; a maid of all work.
   • Their skills ranged over 36 different trades, from general catgories such as allwork and general servant through to more specific skills such as upholsterer and jeweller.1988, Stephen Nicholas, Convict Workers: Reinterpreting Australia's Past, page 91
   • Whilst employed as an "allwork" she was convicted of "man stealing" at the Middlesex Session Peace on 5 September, 1834. She reached Australia on the Numa in 1834.1991, James Hugh Donohoe, The Forgotten Australians, page 96