painter

noun

1. An artist who paints pictures.
2. A laborer or workman who paints surfaces using a paintbrush or other means.
3. (obsolete)A chain or rope used to attach the shank of an anchor to the side of a ship when not in use.
4. A rope that is attached to the bow of a dinghy, or other small boat, and used for tying up or towing.

   “"Shove that [fat, wicker luncheon-basket] under your feet," he observed to the Mole, as he passed it down into the boat. Then he untied the painter and took the sculls again.”

   “The dinghy was trailing astern at the end of its painter, and Merrion looked at it as he passed. He saw that it was a battered-looking affair of the prahm type, with a blunt snout, and like the parent ship, had recently been painted a vivid green.”

   “Back at the water’s edge, Delbert realised something else. The number of steps had diminished by one, and the little boat was floating more freely to its painter.”

5. (Southern-US)A mountain lion.

   “I have fou't most of the creatur's of the forest, such as bears, wolves, painters and catamounts, but this is the beginning with the red-skins.”

name

1. (countable, uncountable)A surname transferred from the common noun.
2. (countable, uncountable)A town in Accomack County, Virginia.