signalman

English

Etymology

signal +‎ -man

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈsɪɡnəl.mən/

Noun

signalman (plural signalmen)

1. Somebody employed to operate the signals and points of a railway.
   • 1961 November, “Talking of Trains: Derailment near Holmes Chapel”, in Trains Illustrated, page 652:

     The length ganger saw the train passing with the van derailed and promptly telephoned the Sandbach signalman, who restored his signals to danger, but not in time to stop the train before the final derailment occurred.

   • 2022 January 12, Benedict le Vay, “The heroes of Soham...”, in RAIL, number 948, page 42:

     As he passed though the station, he slowed to yell to the signalman, Frank 'Sailor' Bridges: "Sailor - have you anything between here and Fordham? Where's the mail?" Gimbert knew the mail train was due, and he didn't want to endanger another train with his burning bomb wagon.

2. A member of the armed forces responsible for signalling.
3. Somebody employed to direct rigging or crane operations by providing a different point of view.

Synonyms

• signaller

Derived terms

• handsignalman, hand signalman

Related terms

• signalwoman

Translations

railway employee

• Czech: signalista (cs) m
• Finnish: junasuorittaja
• Italian: scambista (it) m
• Portuguese: sinaleiro m
• Romanian: semnalizator (ro) m
• Swedish: tågklarerare (sv) c

armed forces employee

• Finnish: viestimies (fi)
• Hebrew: קשר (he) m (kashár)

crane shower — see spotter