turnkey
noun
a person who has charge of the keys of a prison; jailer.
turnkeys
-
pluralof turnkey.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The veteran turnkeys consider the many rookies too green and soft.
From Time Magazine Archive
The rest of “us” consisted of a cook Davos never saw, six guardsmen in the ground-floor barracks, a pair of washerwomen, and the two turnkeys who looked after the prisoner.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
And the turnkeys, running and breathless, appeared in pursuit.
From Dilemmas of Pride, (Vol 3 of 3) by Margracia Loudon
"And what shall we do with the turnkeys who watch us?" inquired the prisoner whom the Skeleton called Javatte.
From The Mysteries of Paris, Volume 5 of 6 by Eugène Sue
But the turnkeys, though friendly, were rather chary of information, and Jean gleaned but little intelligence in this direction.
From When a Cobbler Ruled a King by Augusta Huiell Seaman
