a cutter of figures, or other devices, in wood. See CARVING.

Carvers answer to what the Romans call sculptores, who were different from calatores or engravers, as these last wrought in metal.

Carver is also used for the person who cuts up the meat at table. In the great families at Rome, the carver was an officer of some figure. There were masters to teach the art regularly, by means of figures of animals cut in wood. The Greeks also had their carvers, called δαρποι, q.d., distributores, or distributors. In the primitive times the master of the feast carved for all his guests. Thus, in Homer, when Agamemnon's ambassadors were entertained at Achilles's table, the hero himself carved the meat. Of latter times, the the same office, on solemn occasions, was executed by the chief men of Sparta.