cager

noun

cag·​er

ˈkājə(r)

plural -s

1

a

: a worker who loads and unloads cages and gives hoisting signals

called also cageman, cage tender, onsetter, skip tender

b

: a mechanical apparatus for pushing cars on or off a cage

2

: a basketball player

Word History

Etymology

cage entry 1 + -er

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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