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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

signalman en · NOUN

Pronunciation

  • /ˈsɪɡnəl.mən/

Etymology

Etymology tree English signal Proto-Indo-European *mon- Proto-Germanic *mann- Proto-West Germanic *mann Old English mann Middle English man Middle English -man English -man English signalman From signal + -man.

Meanings

  1. Somebody employed to operate the signals and points of a railway.
    • With extra traffic, numerous boat trains to and from Southampton Docks, and working of empty stock, his job, like that of most signalmen, is no sinecure. 1954 September, 'South Western', “Shawford Junction Signalbox”, in Railway Magazine, page 604:
    • As he passed though the station, he slowed to yell to the signalman, Frank 'Sailor' Bridges: "Sailor - have you anything between here and Fordham? Where's the mail?" Gimbert knew the mail train was due, and he didn't want to endanger another train with his burning bomb wagon. 2022 January 12, Benedict le Vay, “The heroes of Soham...”, in RAIL, number 948, page 42:
    • The length ganger saw the train passing with the van derailed and promptly telephoned the Sandbach signalman, who restored his signals to danger, but not in time to stop the train before the final derailment occurred. 1961 November, “Talking of Trains: Derailment near Holmes Chapel”, in Trains Illustrated, page 652:
  2. A member of the armed forces responsible for signalling.
  3. Somebody employed to direct rigging or crane operations by providing a different point of view.

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
signalmen Number=Plur lexicographic

Deriveds

handsignalman · hand signalman

Relateds

signalwoman

Synonyms

signaller

Translations (15)

fi viestimies (armed forces employee) · pl łącznościowiec (railway employee) · pl sygnalista (railway employee) · cs signalista (railway employee) · sv tågklarerare (railway employee) · mk свртничар (railway employee) · ro semnalizator (railway employee) · pl nastawniczy (railway employee) · he קשר (armed forces employee) · fi junasuorittaja (railway employee) · it segnalatore (railway employee) · pt sinaleiro (railway employee) · it scambista (railway employee) · it segnalatore (armed forces employee) · pl sygnalista (armed forces employee)