Definition of Gaffer

1. Noun. An elderly man.

Exact synonyms: Antique, Old Geezer, Old-timer, Oldtimer
Generic synonyms: Graybeard, Greybeard, Methuselah, Old Man
Derivative terms: Antique

2. Noun. An electrician responsible for lighting on a movie or tv set.
Generic synonyms: Electrician, Lineman, Linesman

3. Noun. A person who exercises control over workers. "If you want to leave early you have to ask the foreman"
Exact synonyms: Boss, Chief, Foreman, Honcho
Specialized synonyms: Baas, Ganger, Assistant Foreman, Straw Boss
Generic synonyms: Supervisor
Derivative terms: Bossy, Foremanship

Definition of Gaffer

1. n. An old fellow; an aged rustic.

Definition of Gaffer

1. Noun. (film) A chief lighting technician for a motion-picture or television production. ¹

2. Noun. (colloquial) An old man. ¹

3. Noun. (British) A foreman. ¹

4. Noun. An "Old Gaffer" is a sailor. ¹

5. Noun. In Maritime regions "the Little Gaffer" is the baby in the house. (the boss!) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Gaffer

1. an old man [n -S]

Medical Definition of Gaffer

1. 1. An old fellow; an aged rustic. "Go to each gaffer and each goody." (Fawkes) Gaffer was originally a respectful title, now degenerated into a term of familiarity or contempt when addressed to an aged man in humble life. 2. A foreman or overseer of a gang of laborers. Origin: Possibly contr. Fr. Godfather; but prob. Fr. Gramfer for grandfather. Cf. Gammer. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Gaffer

gaelic
gaelscoil
gaen
gaes
gaff-headed sail
gaff-topsail
gaff-topsails
gaff rig
gaff rigs
gaff topsail
gaffa
gaffas
gaffe
gaffed
gaffer (current term)
gaffer tape
gaffer tapes
gaffers
gaffes
gaffing
gaffings
gaffle
gaffled
gaffles
gaffling
gaffrigger
gaffriggers
gaffs
gaffsail

Literary usage of Gaffer

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Cyclopaedia of English Literature: A History, Critical and Biographical, of by Robert Chambers (1844)
"The song of gaffer Gray in ' Hugh Trevor,' which glances ironically at the inhumanity of ... gaffer Gray. gaffer Gray ; And why does thy nose look so blue ! ..."

2. A Satire Anthology by Carolyn Wells (1905)
"Hie away to the house on the brow, gaffer Gray, And knock at the jolly ... The lawyer lives under the hill, gaffer Gray ; Warmly fenced both in back and in ..."

3. A Satire Anthology by Carolyn Wells (1905)
"with ale, gaffer Gray! And warm thy old heart with a glass. ... Hie away to the house on the brow, gaffer Gray, And knock at the jolly priest's door. ..."

4. Library of Choice Literature and Encyclopaedia of Universal Authorship by Ainsworth Rand Spofford, Charles Gibbon (1893)
"Tiger, tiger, burning bright In the foreste of the night, What Immortal hand or eye Dare frame thy fearful symmetry ? gaffer GRAY. ..."

5. Harper's Cyclopaedia of British and American Poetry edited by Epes Sargent (1882)
"Ho! why <lost thon shiver and shake, gaffer Gray 1 , And why docs thy nose ... Then line thy worn doublet with ale, gaffer Gray, And warm thy old heart with ..."

6. Anthology of Russian Literature from the Earliest Period to the Present Time by Leo Wiener (1903)
"THE gaffer Old gaffer, with his beard and smooth bald head, Sits in his chair. His little mug of water, and his bread, ..."

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