factotums

Noun

factotum (plural factotums or (nonstandard) factota)

1. A person employed to perform all sorts of duties.
   • Biden’s and Bush’s factotums had to walk their statements quickly back, emphasizing that U.S. policy had not changed.2021 November 5, Jon Schwarz, The Intercept, First Look Media
2. A jack of all trades.
   • He lives with his devoted sister and factotum, Cyril (Lesley Manville), and a series of women who tend to be quietly eased out when they demand too much time and attention or — heaven forfend! — dare to speak during Woodcock’s monastic creative routine.2018 January 10, Ann Hornaday, “‘Phantom Thread’: In his final role, Daniel Day-Lewis reminds us he’s a monumental talent”, in Washington Post

   Synonyms:

   handyman, jack of all trades, sciolist

3. (historical) A large decorative printing block with a central space into which any letter can be inserted, used to mark the beginning of a chapter of a book in early printing.
4. (dated) A person having many diverse activities or responsibilities.
5. (dated) A general servant.
   • I had almost forgotten Monee, the grinning old man who prepared our meal. […] He was Po-Po’s factotum—cook, butler, and climber of the bread-fruit and cocoa-nut trees; and, added to all else, a mighty favourite with his mistress; with whom he would sit smoking and gossiping by the hour.1847 March 30, Herman Melville, chapter 73, in Omoo: A Narrative of Adventures in the South Seas; […], London: John Murray, […], →OCLC

   Synonyms:

   do-all