taskmaster

[ task-mas-ter, tahsk-mah-ster ]

/ ˈtæskˌmæs tər, ˈtɑskˌmɑ stər /

a person whose function it is to assign tasks, especially burdensome ones, to others.

a person who supervises rigorously the work of others.

Origin of taskmaster

First recorded in 1520–30; task + master

task·mas·ter·ship, noun

The words came in quick, gasping breaths, as a child might speak who tried to justify himself to his taskmaster.

Flaming June |Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
Blessed is the man who can have his library at hand, and oft peruse the books, without the fear of a taskmaster!

The Writings of Henry David Thoreau, Volume VI, Familiar Letters |Henry David Thoreau
It was as though Pharaoh had sent an embassy to Moses offering to make him a taskmaster if he would but return into Egypt.

The Oxford Reformers |Frederic Seebohm
Four summers ago Mike had resigned the "first gem of the sea" in order to assist in making hay for a Saxon taskmaster.

What Will He Do With It, Complete |Edward Bulwer-Lytton

And man, subservient to interests he has persuaded himself are greater than his own, makes himself a slave to his taskmaster.

The Moon and Sixpence |W. Somerset Maugham

taskmaster

/ (ˈtɑːskˌmɑːstə) /

a person, discipline, etc, that enforces work, esp hard or continuous work his teacher is a hard taskmaster

taskmistress, fem n