painter

plural painters

1. An artist who paints pictures.
2. A laborer or workman who paints surfaces using a paintbrush or other means.

plural painters

1. obsoleteA chain or rope used to attach the shank of an anchor to the side of a ship when not in use.First known use 14th–17th c.
2. nauticalA rope that is attached to the bow of a dinghy, or other small boat, and used for tying up or towing.First known use 17th c.

   Back at the water’s edge, Delbert realised something else. The number of steps had diminished by one, and the little boat was floating more freely to its painter.

   1980, Robert Aickman, “No Time Is Passing”, in Intrusions

   2 more examples

   "Shove that [fat, wicker luncheon-basket] under your feet," he observed to the Mole, as he passed it down into the boat. Then he untied the painter and took the sculls again.

   1908, Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

   The dinghy was trailing astern at the end of its painter, and Merrion looked at it as he passed. He saw that it was a battered-looking affair of the prahm type, with a blunt snout, and like the parent ship, had recently been painted a vivid green.

   1944, Miles Burton, chapter 5, in The Three Corpse Trick

plural painters

1. Southern USA mountain lion.

   I have fou't most of the creatur's of the forest, such as bears, wolves, painters and catamounts, but this is the beginning with the red-skins.

   1893, James Fenimore Cooper, The Deerslayer

plural Painters · alternative Paynter

1. countableuncountableA surname transferred from the common noun.
2. countableuncountableA town in Accomack County, Virginia.