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linkman

linkman

9.9
A person in old times who carries a torch to light and guide people on dark streets
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : guía de antorcha
  • In eighteenth-century London, a linkman would guide citizens safely along unlit roads for a small fee.

Examples

  • The wealthy often hired a linkman to light their way home from evening events.

  • A linkman stood by the theatre entrance, his torch flickering in the chilly night air.

  • The linkman led us safely through the dark alleys.

  • In the past, a linkman was essential for navigating the streets.

  • In eighteenth-century London, a linkman would guide citizens safely along unlit roads for a small fee.

  • A linkman stood by the theatre entrance, his torch flickering in the chilly night air.

  • The wealthy often hired a linkman to light their way home from evening events.

Synonyms

linkboy
vslinkman
  • Archaic
9.9

A boy who carries a lamp to light the way for people at night

is a historical guide who both carried light and actively led pedestrians
torcher
vslinkman
  • Archaic
8.2

A person who carries a burning stick during a ceremony

is a street night guide whose role is guiding pedestrians rather than ceremonies
lanternist
vslinkman
  • Archaic
9.8

A person who carries a lantern to light the way at events

is mainly a street guide who leads people through dark streets carrying a light
guider
vslinkman
3.8

A person who leads a group and shows the way

is the historical night role combining carrying light with guiding pedestrians

Surface Forms

linkman singular
linkmen plural

Morphology

linkman = link + man (opaque) = link + man

Although structurally link + man, the sense 'link' = 'torch' is archaic and not known to most learners who know 'link' as 'connection', so the compound's meaning is not derivable by ordinary learners.

Etymology

Linkman comes from the old word link meaning 'torch' and man meaning 'person', so a linkman was literally a 'torch man' who carried light and guided people along dark streets.