painter

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈpeɪntə/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈpeɪntɚ/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪntə(ɹ)

From Middle English paynter, peyntere, equivalent to paint +‎ -er.

painter (plural painters)

1. An artist who paints pictures.
2. A laborer or workman who paints surfaces using a paintbrush or other means.

• → Scottish Gaelic: peantair

Probably from Middle French pendeur.

painter (plural painters)

1. (obsolete) A chain or rope used to attach the shank of an anchor to the side of a ship when not in use. [14th–17th c.]
3. (nautical) A rope that is attached to the bow of a dinghy, or other small boat, and used for tying up or towing. [from 17th c.]
   • 1908, Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows:

     "Shove that [fat, wicker luncheon-basket] under your feet," he observed to the Mole, as he passed it down into the boat. Then he untied the painter and took the sculls again.

   • 1944, Miles Burton, chapter 5, in The Three Corpse Trick:

     The dinghy was trailing astern at the end of its painter, and Merrion looked at it as he passed. He saw that it was a battered-looking affair of the prahm type, with a blunt snout, and like the parent ship, had recently been painted a vivid green.

   • 1980, Robert Aickman, “No Time Is Passing”, in Intrusions:

     Back at the water’s edge, Delbert realised something else. The number of steps had diminished by one, and the little boat was floating more freely to its painter.

From a variation of panther, paralleling other Southern pronunciations for can't and aunt (see ain't for more details).

painter (plural painters)

1. (Southern US) A mountain lion.
   • 1893, James Fenimore Cooper, The Deerslayer:

     I have fou't most of the creatur's of the forest, such as bears, wolves, painters and catamounts, but this is the beginning with the red-skins.

• Parenti, apterin, parient, pertain, pine tar, repaint, terapin