Word Study
lineman
CIDE DICTIONARY
lineman, n.
- One who carries the line in surveying, etc.; the surveyor who marks positions with a range pole. [1913 Webster]
- A man employed to examine the rails of a railroad to see if they are in good condition; also, a man employed to install or repair telegraph, telephone, television cable, or power lines. Also called
linesman . [1913 Webster] - A player whose position is in the first (forward) line, as opposed to a
back ; one who plays on the line of scrimmage. [PJC] - A ladies' man who is especially adept at inventing effective introductory phrases (
pick-up lines ) to gain a woman's attention. [1913 Webster] - the position of a player on a football team who is stationed on the line of scrimmage. [WordNet 1.5]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
lineman, n. (pl. -men)
1 a a person who repairs and maintains telephone or electrical etc. lines. b a person who tests the safety of railway lines.
2 US Football a player in the line formed before a scrimmage.
1 a a person who repairs and maintains telephone or electrical etc. lines. b a person who tests the safety of railway lines.
2 US Football a player in the line formed before a scrimmage.
THESAURUS
lineman
amateur athlete, archer, athlete, baggage man, bakehead, ballplayer, baseballer, baseman, batter, battery, blocking back, bowman, brakeman, brakie, butcher, catcher, center, coach, competitor, conductor, cricketer, defensive lineman, dispatcher, electrician, electrotechnician, end, fireman, footballer, footplate man, games-player, gamester, groundman, guard, infielder, jock, jumper, offensive lineman, outfield, outfielder, player, poloist, porter, professional athlete, pugilist, quarterback, racer, radio technician, railroad man, railroader, redcap, rigger, skater, smoke agent, sport, sportsman, stationmaster, stoker, switchman, tackle, tailback, telephone mechanic, telephonic engineer, toxophilite, trainboy, trainman, trainmaster, wingback, wireman, wrestler, yardman, yardmasterFor further exploring for "lineman" in Webster Dictionary Online