navvy

IPA: nˈævi

(chiefly UK, historical) A laborer on a civil engineering project such as a canal or railroad.

(intransitive, UK, historical) To carry out physical labor on a civil engineering project.

Examples of "navvy" in Sentences

He can doff them and work like a 'navvy' when he sees reason.
The navvy was a fine specimen of humanity, with a complexion tanned a dusky coffee colour.
"navvy," had just disposed of a supply of rugs and was wending his way homeward at the same time.
Oh, I sleep like a baby, eat like a navvy, and in years have not enjoyed such physical well-being.
It was in the formation of this, the true beginning of railways, that the British "navvy" was called into being.
He was good for nothing now except navvy work, and his broken nose and swollen ear were against him even in that.
He had done a few days 'navvy work when he could get it, and he had run around the Domain in the early mornings to get his legs in shape.
It is a building where the homeless, bedless, penniless man, if he be lucky, may CASUALLY rest his weary bones, and then work like a navvy next day to pay for it.
"Sanitary Tom" (as the boys called the navvy who was his stout ally), had been at work laying bare the subterranean geography of our premises and making all right.
He felt weak and sore, and the pain of his smashed knuckles warned him that, even if he could find a job at navvy work, it would be a week before he could grip a pick handle or a shovel.