machinist
UK: məˈʃiːnɪst | US: məˈʃiːnɪst
n. a person who operates or specializes in machinery, especially in manufacturing or repair
n. a skilled worker who constructs, adjusts, or maintains machines
The word "machinist" combines "machine," derived from the Latin machina (meaning "device" or "contrivance"), with the suffix "-ist," from Greek -istes (denoting a person associated with a specific action or skill). The term emerged in the early 19th century alongside industrialization, reflecting the growing need for skilled workers to operate complex machinery. The morphemes logically merge to describe someone who specializes in machines.
The machinist carefully calibrated the lathe before starting production.
As a machinist, she excels at repairing precision tools.
The factory hired three new machinists to handle the increased workload.
His father worked as a machinist for over 30 years.
Modern machinists often use computer-controlled equipment.