signalwoman

8.8

A woman who tells trains when to stop or go and moves track switches in a rail yard

noun
/ˈsɪɡnəlˌwʊmən/

Specialized

: señalera

The signalwoman ensured the train switched tracks safely.

Examples

The signalwoman waved her flag to indicate the train's departure.
As the only signalwoman on her team, she handled every shift with professionalism.
After years of experience, she was promoted to chief signalwoman in the yard.
Many signalwomen work diligently to ensure train safety.
After years of experience, she was promoted to chief signalwoman in the yard.
As the only signalwoman on her team, she handled every shift with professionalism.
The signalwoman waved her flag to indicate the train's departure.

Synonyms

signalman

vssignalwoman

Specialized

2 8.1

A person who operates signals and switches for trains

is the female-specific form of that operational role

switchman

vssignalwoman

1 7.9

A person who sets which railway track a train uses

also handles signals and points as well as switching tracks

signal worker

vssignalwoman

Jargon

5.6

A railway yard worker who controls and fixes signals and track switches

is the female-specific form of the same role

Surface Forms

signalwoman singular

signalwomen plural

Morphology

signalwoman = signal + woman (transparent) = signal + woman

Meaning is directly the agentive compound 'signal' + 'woman' denoting a female worker who operates signals.

Etymology

The word signalwoman comes from signal, which is like the word sign and means 'a mark or a gesture that shows something', and woman, which means 'an adult female'. So a signalwoman is a woman who gives or controls signals, such as in a railway yard.