eyeservant
Definitions
from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- noun A servant who attends to his duty only when watched, or under the eye of his master or employer.
Examples
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An eye-servant was a chamber maid, or butler who was only busy while in eye-shot of the master of the house, or supervisor. Today, the equivalent might be eye-employee.
The Wonders of Our Forgotten English, Chino Valley Review, August 27, 2003
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I looked back with a feeling of relief to Weston, and my good Polly, who would scorn to be an eye-servant or men-pleaser.
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The child is often stultified in early life, and, without self-respect, grows up a stupid, slovenly, and insufferable eye-servant.
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Elsie had never been an eye-servant, but had always conscientiously obeyed her father, whether present or absent, and henceforward she constantly struggled to restrain her feelings, and even in solitude denied her bursting heart the relief of tears; though it was not always she could do this, for she was but young in the school of affliction, and often, in spite of every effort, grief would have its way, and she was ready to sink beneath her heavy weight of sorrow.
Note
An 'eyeservant' may perform 'eyeservice,' service performed only under inspection of the eye of an employer or master. Also written as 'eye-servant' and 'eye servant.'
