power shovel
1
4.1
- noun
- /ˈpaʊər ˈʃʌvəl/
- Specialized
:
excavadora
- The workers used a power shovel to dig deep trenches for the new pipeline.
Examples
-
When they are looking for a "shovel operator," they mean a 100-ton power shovel.
Blog text (33) -
BOY, THESE SPACE-AGE POWER SHOVELS SURE DO A GREAT JOB.
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A power shovel is essential for moving large amounts of earth efficiently on construction sites.
-
The construction crew relied on a power shovel to remove the tons of dirt in just a few hours.
Synonyms
24
3.4
A machine with a large bucket that digs and moves soil
9
3.9
A large machine with a scoop used for digging and moving earth
5
4.0
A large machine with a long arm and bucket that digs and moves earth
2
5.7
A large machine with a bucket that digs and moves earth in construction and mining
A large deep bucket on a machine used to lift and move dirt
How Big
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'large machine for digging' is directly derivable from combining 'power' (powered, using energy) with 'shovel' (a digging implement), i.e. a shovel that is mechanically powered. This is a straightforward compositional compound and follows common cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would readily infer the intended meaning.
Etymology
Power shovel comes from the simple image of a shovel given extra power by an engine. Early machines used steam or electricity to lift a big scoop and dig much faster than people, so today the term means 'a large machine for digging and moving earth'.