Factotum

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /fækˈtəʊ.tÉ™m/
• US IPA: /fækˈtoÊŠ.tÉ™m/

Origin

From New Latin factotum (literally do everything), from Latin fac, present singular imperative of faciō ("do, make") + tōtum ("everything"); attested in English from 1566.

Full definition of factotum

Noun

1. (dated) A person having many diverse activities or responsibilities.
2. (dated) A general servant.
• 1847, Herman Melville, , Chapter 73,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.
3. A jack of all trades.
4. An individual employed to do all sorts of duties.

Synonyms

• (jack of all trades) handyman, jack of all trades, sciolist
• (general servant) do-all