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Glite Dictionary
drayman

drayman

9.9
A person who drives a low cart to deliver goods, especially beer
  • noun
  • /ˈdreɪmən/
  • Archaic
translation icon : carretero
  • After loading the kegs onto the dray, the drayman set off early in the morning to meet his delivery schedule.

Examples

  • Madam Elaine was graying and regal, with the face of a choir singer and the vocabulary of a drayman.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • A peddler of cutlery stopped his cart to watch, and then a drayman from a brewery that competed with Crown's.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • The drayman in charge adjusted his earmuffs and gloves.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • The drayman skillfully maneuvered his cart through the crowded streets to deliver fresh beer to the tavern.

  • The local brewery hired a drayman to transport their products to various pubs across the city.

Synonyms

trucker
vsdrayman
  • US
69 3.4

A person who drives a truck to carry goods over long distances

works with a small low cart for local goods often used for beer
truck driver
vsdrayman
  • US
67 1.2

A person who moves goods long distances in a large truck

works with a small low cart for local goods often used for beer
driver
vsdrayman
53 5.8

A person who guides animals that pull a carriage or wagon

uses a low goods cart often for carrying beer
deliveryman
vsdrayman
5 1.4

A person who brings packages or food to people's homes

focuses on driving a low goods cart rather than door deliveries
wagoner
vsdrayman
  • Archaic
1 9.1

A person who drives a cart pulled by horses to carry goods

is focused on a low goods cart often used for beer
carter
vsdrayman
  • Archaic
1 8.9

A person who drives a cart to move goods

is tied to a low goods cart often used for beer
carman
vsdrayman
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A person who drives a horse cart to move goods

is specific to a low goods cart often used for beer
wheelsman
vsdrayman
  • Formal
8.3

A person who drives a vehicle in a parade or formal event

works with a low goods cart mainly for moving goods like beer

Surface Forms

drayman singular
draymen plural

Morphology

drayman = dray + man (transparent) = dray + man

The meaning is a straightforward compound 'dray' + 'man' meaning 'person who drives a dray', so knowing the parts allows direct inference.

Etymology

The word drayman comes from dray, an old word for a low cart you 'drag' or 'pull', and -man, meaning the person who does the job. That's why a drayman is someone who drives or pulls a cart to move heavy goods like barrels of beer.