English

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Etymology

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From band +‎ -s- +‎ -man.

Noun

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bandsman (plural bandsmen)

  1. A player in a musical band, especially a military or brass band.
    • 1973, Cecil Parrott, Translator's introduction to Jaroslav Hašek, The Good Soldier Švejk, London: William Heinemann, p. xxi,
      If the reader finds a certain monotony in the words chosen by the translator I hope he will realize that the bandsman has to operate within the limits of his instrument.
    • 2005, E. L. Doctorow, The March, New York: Random House, Part One, p. 28:
      It was military bandsmen, their uniform coats unbuttoned, who supplied the merry tune, from a clarinet, a tuba, a fife.
  2. (mining, historical) A labourer (loader) working with a band of men.