OZDIC

navvy

UK /ˈnævi/ US /ˈnævi/
noun 2verb 1

Definitions

noun

1

A laborer on a civil engineering project such as a canal or railroad.

Suppose two lads, fresh from school, go out into the world to earn their living; one becomes a navvy and one a clerk. In five years' time these two young men will probably be very different in appearance from one another. The navvy will have developed his muscles; he will be broad-built, broad-chested, and strong.

His proper trade's a navvy; and he works at it sometimes too—for exercise—and earns good money at it.

2

an unskilled laborer

verb

1

To carry out physical labor on a civil engineering project.

But by pretending to believe he's navvied before, I've given him double reason to drive himself hard.

Before my time of navvying I believe the times were still worse.

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