gaffer — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A chief lighting technician for a motion-picture or television production.

2. A glassblower.

   Examples

   The apprentice carries a gather of glass on the blowpipe to the gaffer's bench […]

3. Someone aboard a boat whose duty is to gaff a (large) fish once the angler has reeled it in.

Noun

1. An old person, usually a man.

   Usage

   • Colloquial

   Examples

   If thou return not, Gammer o'er her pail Will sing in sorrow, 'neath the brinded cow, And Gaffer sigh over his nut-brown ale […]

2. The leader of a group or team, such as a boss, foreman, coach, or publican.

   Usage

   • UK usage
   • Informal

   Examples

   And you're here to tell me what's what. Just like your bloody gaffer promised.

3. A sailor.

4. The baby in the house.

   Usage

   • Canada

Noun

1. an elderly man

   Synonyms

   old-timeroldtimerold geezerantique

   Broader terms

   old mangreybeardgraybeardMethuselah

2. an electrician responsible for lighting on a movie or tv set

   Broader terms

   electrician

3. a person who exercises control over workers

   Synonyms

   foremanchiefhonchoboss

   Broader terms

   supervisor

   Examples

   if you want to leave early you have to ask the foreman