understaffed en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁én Proto-Indo-European *-tér Proto-Indo-European *h₁entér Proto-Indo-European *h₂én Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁-? Proto-Indo-European *-dʰi ? Proto-Indo-European *(H)n̥dʰí Proto-Indo-European *-ér Proto-Indo-European *(H)n̥dʰér Proto-Germanic *under Proto-West Germanic *undar Old English under- Middle English under- English under- English staffed English understaffed From under- + staffed.
Meanings
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having an inadequate number of workers or assistants
At Southall, we believe, it has been difficult to spare men from an understaffed motive power establishment to undergo non revenue-earning training on the diesel multiple-units, because crews are scarce for trip freight working.
1960 April, “Talking of Trains: The present difficulties”, in Trains Illustrated, page 193:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| more understaffed | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most understaffed | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |
Synonyms
shorthanded · short-staffed · undermanned
Translations (1)
pl z brakami personalnymi (having an inadequate number of workers or assistants)