idler
(ˈaɪdlə(r))
[f. idle v. + -er1.]
1. One who idles or is idle; one who spends his time in idleness; an indolent person.
(It has been used as the title of a periodical.)
| 1534 T. Dorset in Suppress. Monasteries (Camden) 36, I havyng nothyng to doo, as an idler went to Lambhethe to the byshopis place, to see what newis. 1687 Congreve Old Bach. i. i, Come, come, leave business to idlers, and wisdom to fools: they have need of 'em. 1758 Johnson (title) The Idler. 1781 Cowper Retirem. 681 An idler is a watch that wants both hands, As useless if it goes as when it stands. 1836 Hor. Smith Tin Trump. (1876) 202 All rich idlers may be termed the representatives of former industry and talent. 1862 Tyndall Mountaineer. i. 5 Had I not been a worker previous to my release from London, I could not now have been so glad an idler. 1874 Green Short Hist. ix. §3. 616 To all outer seeming Charles was the most consummate of idlers. |
2. Naut. ‘A general designation for all those on board a ship-of-war, who, from being liable to constant day duty, are not subjected to keep the night-watch’ (Smyth Sailor's Word-bk.); on board a whaler, one who is not required to assist in the capture of whales (Cent. Dict.).
| 1794 Nelson 30 July in Nicolas Disp. (1845) I. 464 The Agamemnon cannot get under weigh: she has only her boats' crews and Maltese, besides idlers. 1819 J. H. Vaux Mem. I. xx. 229 It was but fair that I should sleep every night, as all persons under the denomination of ‘Idlers’ invariably do in king's ships. 1840 R. H. Dana Bef. Mast ii. 3 Having called up the ‘idlers’, namely, carpenter, cook, steward, etc. 1882 Nares Seamanship (ed. 6) 98 Marines, Idlers or Daymen. |
3. a. Machinery. An idle wheel: see idle a. 5 b.
| 1875 in Knight Dict. Mech. |
b. A wheel or roller that when in contact with a moving belt, tape, or the like transmits no power but serves to support it, guide it, or make it taut. Freq. attrib.
| 1899 G. D. Hiscox Mech. Movements ii. 37 A single belt, with two idlers, for tightening and directing the half twist of the belt. 1908 [see belt conveyor (belt n.1 6)]. 1951 Wire Ropes in Mines (Inst. Mining & Metall.) 290 Supporting idlers are necessary to prevent severe whipping and vibration, if the distance is great between the drum and head sheave. However, if it is at all possible, the installation of idler sheaves should be avoided. 1962 A. Nisbett Technique Sound Studio 256 On a tape deck, the idler presses the tape against the capstan when the drive is switched on. 1969 Times 2 May (Suppl.) p. viii/7 This means that idler rolls made to this design will operate on conveyors at speeds up to and in excess of 1,000 ft. a minute. 1970 Jrnl. Soc. Dyers & Colourists LXXXVI. 87/1 The web follows an up-and-down zigzag path over idler rollers. 1972 Reader's Digest Repair Manual 551/4 Incorrect speed is generally due to a worn idler wheel. |
4. Railways. (See quots.)
| 1909 Cent. Dict. Suppl., Idler, in railroading, an empty car; an empty. 1962 Amer. Speech XXXVII. 133 Idler, an empty car which is coupled to another car having a load of logs longer than the car, thus permitting the load to be coupled into a train. |