Donkeyman Meaning in English
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Definition
A donkeyman is a crew member on a ship responsible for maintaining and operating auxiliary engines and machinery, especially the 'donkey engine,' which helps with tasks like winching or pumping. This is an old-fashioned job mostly found on older vessels or in maritime history.
Usage & Nuances
The term is old-fashioned and mainly used in shipping and maritime history; not common in modern English. Always refers to people on ships, not those who handle donkeys. Sometimes confused with 'engineer' or 'oiler'—'donkeyman' was mostly found on steamships.
Example Sentences
The donkeyman checks the ship's machinery every morning.
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The captain asked the donkeyman for help with the winch.
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Back in the old days, every steamship had a donkeyman on board.
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A donkeyman works in the engine room of a ship.
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The story of the donkeyman is part of maritime tradition now.
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You won’t meet a donkeyman on modern ships these days.
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