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joiner

[joi-ner]
See more synonyms for joiner on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a person or thing that joins.
  2. a carpenter, especially one who constructs doors, window sashes, paneling, and other permanent woodwork.
  3. a person who belongs to many clubs, associations, societies, etc., often from indiscriminate enthusiasm, for increased status, to make business or social contacts, or the like.
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Origin of joiner

1350–1400; join + -er1; replacing Middle English joinour < Anglo-French joignour, equivalent to joign- (see join) + -our -or2
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for joiner

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • He left long before I did, and went to learn his trade of a joiner in the city.

    Rico and Wiseli

    Johanna Spyri

  • There were tools and a joiner's bench in an outhouse, and there he worked.

    The Great Hunger

    Johan Bojer

  • So after all, these first houses were rather poor specimens of the joiner's craft.

  • He did not finish the sentence; the joiner's plane had hurtled close past his head.

    The Gods are Athirst

    Anatole France

  • The joiner felt to the bottom of his pockets, but could find nothing.

British Dictionary definitions for joiner

joiner

noun
  1. mainly British a person trained and skilled in making finished woodwork, such as windows, doors, and stairs
  2. a person or thing that joins
  3. informal a person who joins many clubs, causes, etc
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for joiner

n.

early 14c. (late 12c. as a surname), joynour "maker of furniture, small boxes, etc.," from Old French joigneor "joiner, carpenter," agent noun from joindre "to join" (see join). A craftsman who did lighter and more ornamental work than a carpenter. Meaning "one who makes a habit of joining" (societies, clubs, etc.) is from 1890. Related: Joinery.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper