painter

¹

[peyn-ter]

noun

1. an artist who paints pictures.

2. a person who coats walls or other surfaces with paint, especially as an occupation.

3. Astronomy.,  Painter, the constellation Pictor.

painter

²

[peyn-ter]

noun

1. a rope, usually at the bow, for fastening a boat to a ship, stake, etc.

painter

³

[peyn-ter]

noun

1. cougar.

painter

¹

/ ˈpeɪntə /

noun

1. a person who paints surfaces as a trade

2. an artist who paints pictures

painter

²

/ ˈpeɪntə /

noun

1. a line attached to the bow of a boat for tying it up

Word History and Origins

Origin of painter¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English peyntour, pentour, paint(o)ur, from Anglo-French peint(o)ur, from unattested Vulgar Latin pinctor, from Latin pictor (noun derivative of pingere paint ( def. ) + -or ² ( def. ) ); -er ¹ ( def. )

Origin of painter²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English peyntour, pentre, probably from Middle French pentoir, variant of pendoir “rope, cord for hanging things on,” from Old French pentoir, penteur; pend, -er ²

Origin of painter³

An Americanism dating back to 1755–65; variant of panther

Word History and Origins

Origin of painter¹

C15: probably from Old French penteur strong rope

Example Sentences

He stayed late in his studio many nights, which was not unusual for painters.

Read more on Literature

One eccentric grandmother had been a regional stage actress and was a painter who slept all day and painted at night; the other was an interior designer.

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He was popular, but for a long time the critics condescended to him, calling him a lightweight Sunday painter and deriding him for his “matchstick” figures.

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Why shouldn’t their town square prioritize strolling couples and amateur oil painters and kids tossing softballs over parking meters and hatchbacks?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“The Muse at Her Easel,” in the opening section, probes the relationship between English painter Lucian Freud and his model, Celia Paul, also a painter, via a review of her memoir.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• animator 
• artisan 
• craftsman 
• illustrator