flyman

American

[flahy-muhn] / ˈflaɪ mən /

noun

Theater.

plural

flymen

a stagehand, especially one who operates the apparatus in the flies.

flyman British

/ ˈflaɪmən /

noun

theatre a stagehand who operates the scenery, curtains, etc, in the flies

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of flyman

First recorded in 1835–45; fly ² + -man

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“You pull the bag up, the piece goes in,” says John, the head flyman at the National Theatre.

From Washington Post • Jun. 26, 2017

In England he has earned his living as sceneshifter and flyman in a theatre, prop-boy in a film studio, "effect" man with film companies.

From Time Magazine Archive

When the proof of that journey was obtained from the flyman, the evidence would be complete.

From The Woman in White by Collins, Wilkie

The flyman had fixed the luggage on top of the cab, and was standing in the bar, whip in hand.

From A Son of Hagar A Romance of Our Time by Caine, Hall, Sir

He neither moved nor spoke, and waving her hand to him in utmost friendliness she signified to the flyman to drive up the street.

From The Mayor of Casterbridge by Hardy, Thomas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023