Definitions for navvy
ˈnæv inavvy

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. drudge, peon, navvy, galley slave(noun)

   a laborer who is obliged to do menial work

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. navvy(Noun)

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

   Etymology: from the navigation canals upon which these workers first toiled

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Navvy(noun)

   originally, a laborer on canals for internal navigation; hence, a laborer on other public works, as in building railroads, embankments, etc

   Etymology: [Abbreviated fr. navigator.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Navvy

   Navvy, a shorter form of navigator or navigational engineer, is particularly applied to describe the manual labourers working on major civil engineering projects. The term was coined in the late 18th century in Great Britain when numerous canals were being built, which were also sometimes known as "navigations", or "eternal navigations", intended to last forever.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Navvy

   nav′i, n. a labourer—originally a labourer on a navigation or canal: a machine for digging out earth, &c.—called also French navvy:—pl. Navv′ies. [A contr. of navigator.]

Etymology and Origins(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Navvy

   Originally the name of a labourer employed in the construction of canals for inland navigation. An alehouse set up beside one of the earliest canals bore the sign of the “Navigation Inn,” and those who frequented it were called Navigators. This term soon became shortened into Navvies.

How to pronounce navvy?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say navvy in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of navvy in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of navvy in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Images & Illustrations of navvy

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