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Glite Dictionary
bandsman

bandsman

1 6.6
A person who plays an instrument in a band, often in the military
  • noun
  • /ˈbændzmən/
  • UK
translation icon : músico de banda
  • The bandsman played the trumpet proudly during the military parade.

Examples

  • Sergeant First Class Ruth Anderson graduated from the Army Bandsman course on June 19, 1952.

    Academic text (2015)

  • As a dedicated bandsman, he practiced diligently every day to perfect his skills.

  • Every Sunday, the bandsman joined his fellow musicians for rehearsal in the community hall.

Synonyms

band player
vsbandsman
1 2.5

A person who plays an instrument in a band, for example a military band

is usually used for a male musician rather than a neutral term

Surface Forms

bandsman singular
bandsmen plural

Morphology

bandsman = band + man (transparent) = band + man

Clearly a straightforward compound of 'band' + 'man' meaning a (male) member of a band, so learners knowing the components can derive the meaning.

Etymology

Bandsman comes from the simple parts band ('a group or musical group') and man ('person'). So a bandsman is literally a person in a band and was often used for male members of military bands, which is why it means a military musician today.