plumber

plumber
plumber (n.) late 14c. (from c.1100 as a surname), "a worker in any sort of lead" (roofs, gutters, pipes), from O.Fr. plummier (Fr. plombier), from L. plumbarius "worker in lead," properly an adjective, "pertaining to lead," from plumbum "lead" (see PLUMB (Cf. plumb) (n.)). Meaning focused 19c. on "workman who installs pipes and fittings" as lead water pipes became the principal concern of the trade. In U.S. Nixon administration (1969-74), the name of a special unit for investigation of "leaks" of government secrets.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Plumber — Plumb er, n. [F. plombier. See {Plumb}.] One who works in lead; esp., one who furnishes, fits, and repairs lead pipes. [1913 Webster] 2. Hence: Any worker who installs or repairs piping and related equipment for conveyance of water, gas, or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • plumber — ► NOUN ▪ a person who fits and repairs the pipes and fittings of water supply, sanitation, or heating systems. ORIGIN originally denoting a person dealing in and working with lead: from Old French plommier, from Latin plumbum lead …   English terms dictionary

  • plumber — [plum′ər] n. [ME < MFr plummier < L plumbarius, lead worker < plumbum, LEAD2: see PLUMB] a skilled worker who installs and repairs pipes, fixtures, etc., as of water, drainage, or gas systems in a building …   English World dictionary

  • Plumber — For other uses, see Plumber (disambiguation). Plumber Residential plumber at work. Occupation Activity sectors Construction A plumber is a tradesperson who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for potable (drinking) water …   Wikipedia

  • plumber — n. 1) to call (in) a plumber 2) a master plumber * * * [ plʌmə] a master plumber to call (in) a plumber …   Combinatory dictionary

  • Plumber — Orig. a person who worked with lead, after the Latin plumbum = lead. Indeed English plumbers were in great demand on the continent: English lead roofed both Clairvaux and Rouen cathedrals in the 12c. However, lead was also used for rain pipes and …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • plumber */ — UK [ˈplʌmə(r)] / US [ˈplʌmər] noun [countable] Word forms plumber : singular plumber plural plumbers someone whose job is to fit and repair pipes, water tanks, and other equipment used for supplying and storing water …   English dictionary

  • plumber — [[t]plʌ̱mə(r)[/t]] plumbers N COUNT A plumber is a person whose job is to connect and repair things such as water and drainage pipes, baths, and toilets …   English dictionary

  • plumber —    Used by other tradesmen and their labourers on a British building site to address a plumber. Occasionally shortened to ‘Plum(b)’ …   A dictionary of epithets and terms of address

  • plumber's helper — ☆ plumber s helper n. Informal PLUNGER (sense 2): also plumber s friend …   English World dictionary

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