trainmaster en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dʰregʰ-der.? Latin trahere Vulgar Latin *tragīnāre Old French traïnerder. Old French trainder. Middle English trayne English train Proto-Indo-European *meǵh₂-der.? Proto-Indo-European *meh₂-der.? Proto-Italic *magisteros Latin magister, magistrum Old French maistrebor. ▲ Latin magisterder. Old English mǣġester Middle English maister English master English trainmaster From train + master.
Meanings
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(US) A superintendent or supervisor of a freight railroad, responsible for train movements, crew assignments, derailments and more.
Trainmasters are American officials, who perform duties somewhat akin to those of a British controller, but with obvious differences dictated by the different operating conditions in America.
1946 March and April, “The Why and The Wherefore: The Duties of Yardmasters, Controllers and Trainmasters”, in Railway Magazine, page 127:In the past, trainmasters were promoted brakemen or conductors who retained their union seniority.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| trainmasters | Number=Plur | lexicographic |