What does "trimmer" mean?

Trimmer: One who does not adopt extreme opinions in politics, or the like; one who fluctuates between parties, so as to appear to favor each; a timeserver. Thus Halifax was a trimmer on principle. Macaulay.

Additional senses

  1. 2.An instrument with which trimming is done.
  2. 3.(Arch.) A beam, into which are framed the ends of headers in floor framing, as when a hole is to be left for stairs, or to avoid bringing joists near chimneys, and the like. See Illust. of Header.

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