switchman en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree English switch Proto-Indo-European *mon- Proto-Germanic *mann- Proto-West Germanic *mann Old English mann Middle English man Middle English -man English -man English switchman From switch + -man.
Meanings
-
A person who operates railway switches that route trains onto rail tracks.
This route is repeated automatically on the control panel of the appropriate box as flashing indications covering the track circuits involved and the switchman obeys the instruction by setting up the required route.
1959 August, Flt. Lt. R. M. Williams, “The German Federal Railways today: 2. Modern signalling at Hanover”, in Trains Illustrated, page 387:
- A person whose job is to help in the switching of railcars in a railway yard.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| switchmen | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Relateds
Synonyms
hostler · switcher · pointsman · shunter · yard jockey
Translations (5)
el κλειδούχος (railway switch operator) · ru стре́лочник (railway switch operator) · mk свртничар (railway switch operator) · izh strelocnikka (railway switch operator) · pl zwrotniczy (railway switch operator)