pointsman

[points-muhn]

noun

British.

plural

pointsmen 

1. a railway switchman.

2. a police officer who directs traffic, as at an intersection.

pointsman

/ -mən, ˈpɔɪntsˌmæn /

noun

1. US and Canadian equivalent: switchman. a person who operates railway points

2. a policeman or traffic warden on point duty

Word History and Origins

Origin of pointsman¹

First recorded in 1840–50; point + -s ³ + man

Example Sentences

That railway porters, pointsmen, guards, firemen, and drivers are, as Mr. Joynes well urges, often badly paid, and nearly always overworked, is true, but making the railways State property would not necessarily improve this.

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On this occasion a number of railway guards and pointsmen had been asked; and never shall I forget the sermon he preached to them.

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A few days after this interview with the pointsman I was talking to Sister Dora, and said: 'By the bye, Sister, I have found out where you went with the cab that day.'

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They were "shunting" wagons across the line when the express came up, or the pointsman did n't turn the switch, or the fog obscured the danger signal.

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A pointsman will be expected to notice all signals and to obey them.

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