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redcap

redcap

1 8.6
A porter at a train station who helps people with luggage
  • noun
  • /ˈrɛdˌkæp/
  • Archaic
translation icon : maletero
  • Across the great domed room, she spotted a redcap with a cart, and though she usually would have carried her bag to save money, she decided this was a special occasion.

Examples

  • A REDCAP passes her, also carrying a small overnight case for an attractive, elegantly attired SOCIALITE.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Ralph tipped the redcap, taking charge of the bags.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • We thought the redcap might have put it in here by mistake.

  • The redcap who took her bag was young and did not say a word.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Paging any available redcap to track number 11.

  • Calvino gives the bag to a REDCAP.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • The redcap flung her suitcase onto his cart.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • The redcap assisted the elderly woman by carrying her heavy suitcase to the train platform.

  • As she arrived at the railway station, a friendly redcap greeted her and offered to handle her luggage.

  • After purchasing her ticket, she waited for a redcap to help with her bags before boarding the train.

Synonyms

porter
vsredcap
71 2.3

A person who carries suitcases and bags at hotels or stations

is the railway station role focusing on helping passengers with baggage
skycap
vsredcap
  • US
4 8.4

A person at an airport who helps passengers with their bags

is focused on stations rather than airports when assisting with luggage

Surface Forms

redcap singular
redcaps plural

Morphology

redcap = red + cap (semi-transparent) = red + cap

Built from 'red' + 'cap' and literally denotes someone wearing a red cap, but the occupational meaning 'porter at a station' is a conventionalized use that a learner may not infer from the parts alone.

Etymology

The word redcap for a railway porter comes from the red cap these station helpers wore so passengers could spot them easily, so a redcap is someone who helps you with your luggage.