pointsman

[ points-muhn ]

noun

, British.

, plural points·men.

1. a railway switchman.
2. a police officer who directs traffic, as at an intersection.

pointsman

/ -mən; ˈpɔɪntsˌmæn /

noun

1. a person who operates railway points US and Canadian equivalentswitchman
2. a policeman or traffic warden on point duty

Word History and Origins

Origin of pointsman¹

First recorded in 1840–50; point + -s ³ + man

Example Sentences

The scenery of the Pointsman is sufficiently ingenious to satisfy the cravings for sensation of a typical British audience.

From Project Gutenberg

The Pointsman is likely to remain on the line of the Olympic bills for many a week to come.

From Project Gutenberg

The company says--he is--and the public says--he is; but I'm--a pointsman--and I know--better.

From Project Gutenberg

A pointsman's back straightened itself upright suddenly against a tramway standard by Mr Bloom's window.

From Project Gutenberg

In the meantime the pointsman had fled on foot to the next station, and telegraphed the startling news from there to Quetta.

From Project Gutenberg