[f. LINE sb.2 + MAN.]
1. A man employed to attend to the condition of a railway, telegraph or telephone line.
1855. W. H. Butcher, in Sydney Morning Herald, 9 July, 3/3. The repairer, or lineman, having only to observe the posts and wires, until he arrives at the break.
1858. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, Linemen, men employed on a railway.
1876. Preece & Sivewright, Telegraphy, 138. The lineman placed in charge of a length by road must walk his length.
1890. Daily News, 5 Feb., 6/1. While a lineman was repairing an electric wire … he received an electric shock.
2. One who carries the line in surveying.
1858. Simmonds, Dict. Trade, Linemen,… persons carrying the measuring line for a surveyor.
3. A line fisherman.
1890. in Century Dict.
