sapper

[sap-er]

noun

1. a soldier employed in the construction of fortifications, trenches, or tunnels that approach or undermine enemy positions.

sapper

¹

/ ˈsæpə /

noun

1. a soldier who digs trenches

2. (in the British Army) a private of the Royal Engineers

Sapper

²

/ ˈsæpə /

noun

1. real name Herman Cyril McNeile . 1888–1937, British novelist, author of the popular thriller Bull-dog Drummond (1920) and its sequels

Word History and Origins

Origin of sapper¹

First recorded in 1620–30; sap ² + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The battalion, which has now been absorbed into Ukraine’s armed forces, is currently seeking about 500 new members and has advertised jobs as varied as medics, mechanics and sappers, combat engineers who clear minefields.

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She began agitating — so far unsuccessfully — for sappers, or de-mining specialists, to clear the grove.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He says one team of sappers may have to deal with more than 100 devices a day.

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"I'm once again appealing to the residents of the region. Do not start any work until the fields have been inspected by sappers. Take care of your safety," Prokudin said on the Telegram messaging app.

Read more on Reuters

The kitten is a folding steel hook that sappers use to dislodge booby traps, nicknamed for its retractable tongs that spring out like cat's claws.

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Related Words

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