| 释义 |
navvy, n.|ˈnævɪ|
Also navvie, pl. navies.
[Abbrev. of navigator 2. In north. dial. also used for navigation = canal.]
1. A labourer employed in the excavation and construction of earth-works, such as canals, railways, embankments, drains, etc.
1832–4De Quincey Cæsars i. Wks. 1862 IX. 51 If navvies had been wanted in those days. 1839Lecount B'ham Railw. 27 These banditti, known in some parts of England by the name of ‘Navies’, or ‘Navigators’, and in others by that of ‘Bankers’. 1862Smiles Engineers III. 321 During the railway-making period the navvy wandered about from one public work to another. 1888Bryce Amer. Commonw. III. 408 The navvies of the two companies fought with shovels and pickaxes.
attrib.1858R. S. Surtees Ask Mamma lxi. 279 The navvie boots that laced his great bulging calves into globes.
2. A machine for excavating earth. Usually called a steam navvy.
1877Sci. Amer. XXXVI. 399 The navvy illustrated is capable of excavating..at the rate of 60 cubic yards per hour. 1884Standard 11 Jan. 3/2 The cranes and mechanical navvy in the excavations.
Hence ˈnavvy v., intr. to work as a navvy; trans. to excavate.
1897Bartram People of Clopton 75, I staarted navvyin' me waay arter 'em—navvyin' an' traampin'. 1897M. Kingsley W. Africa 138 They are at present..navvying a stiff clay bank. |