linesman
(ˈlaɪnzmən)
[f. line's, genitive of line n.2 + man. Cf. lineman.]
1. A soldier belonging to a regiment of the line.
| 1856 E. Napier (title) The Linesman, or Service in the Guards and the Line during England's long peace. 1885 Mag. of Art Sept. p. xlii/2 The ugly shako and the coarse red trousers of the French linesman. |
2. = lineman 1.
| 1883 Standard 3 May 6/5 James B―,..telegraph lines⁓man. 1884 Manch. Exam. 11 Nov. 8/2 A number of linesmen engaged..in unloading a barge of heavy sleepers. |
3. a. Lawn Tennis. An umpire posted near to one of the ‘lines,’ whose duty it is to decide whether any particular ball falls within the court or not. b. Assoc. Football. In the Association game since 1891, an official whose chief duty is to mark when and where the ball crosses the touch-line or the goal-line.
| 1890 Heathcote, etc. Lawn Tennis (Badm. Libr.) 349 There should certainly be not less than three linesmen (for the further side-line, and the base-lines) in addition to the umpire-in-chief. 1894 Westm. Gaz. 27 Mar. 2/3 [Football] Any player of the opposite side—selected by the referee and linesmen. 1897 Whitaker's Alm. 644/1 [Football] Neutral linesmen shall officiate in all games. 1898 Laws Assoc. §13 in Football (Badm. Libr.) 326 Two linesmen shall be appointed, whose duty..shall be to decide when the ball is out of play and which side is entitled to the corner kick, goal kick or throw in, and to assist the Referee in carrying out the game in accordance with the laws. |
c. In N. Amer. Football, (a) an official on the sideline with certain duties governed by the rules of the game (see quot. 19692); (b) = lineman 4. In Ice Hockey, an official whose chief duty is to give offside decisions.
| 1897 Encycl. Sport I. 425/2 Two linesmen..mark the distance gained and lost, and are aids to the umpire. 1935 Encycl. Sports 528/1 The officials in this game are referee, umpire, linesman and two assistants, and a field judge. 1947 E. A. McCourt Music at Close 119 The crash of opposing linesmen, the spirited end runs, the long spiralling kicks awoke in him a strong desire to be a participant. 1955 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 31 Jan. 19/1 Flaman tried desperately to break from linesman Bill Roberts, who had put the clutch on the rampaging Bruin defenseman. 1969 Official Rule Bk. Nat. Hockey League 1969–70 44 The duty of the linesman is to determine any infractions of the rules concerning off-side play at the blue line, or center line, or any violation of the ‘Icing the Puck’ rule. 1969 Official Playing Rules Nat. & Amer. Football Leagues 93 Linesman is to mark with his foot..the yard⁓line touched by forward point of ball at end of each scrimmage down. Ibid., He and the Umpire are to determine whether ineligible linesmen illegally cross line prior to a pass. |
4. One who attends to the upkeep of roadside verges.
| 1888 Geysers & Gazers 7 The road was impeded by a land-slip... As soon as we cleared one slip away, another came into view. I asked the driver why the linesman had not attended to the matter. 1971 Country Life 18 Nov. 1372/4, I was privileged to spend many hours in the company of a linesman... He was responsible for the upkeep of the roadside verges of some four to five square miles. |