yardman en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
- /ˈjɑɹdmən/
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *gʰerdʰ- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *gʰórdʰos Proto-Germanic *gardaz Proto-West Germanic *gard Old English ġeard Middle English yerd English yard English -man English yardman From yard + -man.
Meanings
- A worker in any of several types of yard, as: ▸ A worker in a railyard.
-
(UK, historical) A worker in any of several types of yard, as: ▸ A farm worker assigned to the farmyard of a large farm, working at hostler duties (harnessing and hitching teams), loading and unloading wagons, feeding, and so on.
I asked the grizzled rustic who appeared to be in sole occupation of the farm buildings, and who was, in fact, the yardman, if he knew whereabouts I should find the [hunting] party. He said something I did not understand, but I followed his pointing arm. […] The yardman, with his lantern, was helping to back ponies into traps. Motor-engines murmured. […]
1930, Adrian Bell, Corduroy, Faber and Faber:
- (Canada, US) A worker in any of several types of yard, as: ▸ A laborer hired to do outdoor work.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| yardmen | Number=Plur | lexicographic |