millwright

English

Etymology

From Middle English mylle wryte; equivalent to mill +‎ wright.

Noun

millwright (plural millwrights)

  1. Either of two related occupations (as follows); the person who holds it.
    1. (historical) A craftsman who designs, erects, and builds mills and milling machinery.
      Hypernyms: wright < person
    2. A tradesperson engaged in the erection of machinery.
      Hypernyms: wright < person
      • 1944 September and October, A Former Pupil, “Some Memories of Crewe Works—I”, in Railway Magazine, page 283:
        Thus one dear old character in the millwright's shop would do anything for a pupil or premium, who was prepared to disuss fly-fishing.
      • 1961 March, C. P. Boocock, “The organisation of Eastleigh Locomotive Works”, in Trains Illustrated, pages 159, 162:
        The recent influx of repairs and overhaul work on traction motors and generators from electric and diesel-electric multiple-units has resulted in the electricians taking over the area used by the millwrights, who have been transferred to a building near the forge, alongside the carpenters.
        [p162] Eastleigh Locomotive Works: Layout and functions of shops [...] Millwrights: Works machinery maintenance, overhaul of breakdown cranes.

Derived terms