noun.
One whose earnings are the primary source of support for one's dependents.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
noun.
One who earns a livelihood for himself and those dependent upon him: usually restricted to one who is directly dependent upon his earnings from day to day or from week to week.
noun.
That by means of which one earns one's bread.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
noun.
The member of a family whose labor supplies the food of the family; one who works for his living.