ploughman
UK[ˈplaʊmən]US[ˈplaʊmən]
n
A man whose job is to plough land, especially using horses.
n
A man who operates a plough; a farm laborer.
Morpheme Breakdown
plough
man
plough
tool/action
man
person
Etymology
The word 'ploughman' is a transparent compound from Old English, directly combining the elements for the agricultural tool or action ('plough') and the person performing it ('man'). The term 'plough' itself has ancient Germanic roots, likely connected to the fundamental act of turning the earth for cultivation. As farming was a central part of medieval life, the 'ploughman' was a specific and essential social role, a designation that has persisted in the language to denote a farm worker, particularly one using traditional methods. The word's logic remains perfectly clear: the person (man) associated with the plough.
Analysis
Structure: plough (tool/action) + man (person)
- plough: From Old English plōh, a piece of land or the agricultural implement. Its ultimate origin is uncertain, possibly from a Germanic root related to turning the soil.
- man: From Old English mann, meaning a person, specifically an adult male human. Of Germanic origin.
Examples
The ploughman guided the horses across the vast field.
A traditional ploughman's lunch often includes bread, cheese, and pickles.
In medieval society, the ploughman was a vital figure in the village economy.