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Dumbwaiter: meaning, definitions and examples

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dumbwaiter

 

[ ˈdʌmˌweɪtə ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

elevator system

A dumbwaiter is a small elevator or lift designed to transport items, especially food, between different floors of a building. It typically consists of a series of trays or compartments that can be loaded with items and sent up or down through a shaft. Dumbwaiters are commonly found in restaurants, hotels, and larger residential buildings. They provide a convenient way to move items without the need for stairs, thus improving efficiency and reducing the risk of spills or accidents.

Synonyms

cargo lift, item lift, small elevator

Examples of usage

  • The restaurant used a dumbwaiter to send dishes from the kitchen to the dining room.
  • In the old mansion, a dumbwaiter connected the kitchen and the upstairs library.
  • The hotel offered a dumbwaiter service for room service deliveries.

Translations

Translations of the word "dumbwaiter" in other languages:

🇵🇹 elevador de pratos

🇮🇳 खाना लाने वाला लिफ्ट

🇩🇪 Speisenaufzug

🇮🇩 lift makanan

🇺🇦 доступник

🇵🇱 dumbwaiter

🇯🇵 ダムウェイター

🇫🇷 passeur

🇪🇸 dumbwaiter

🇹🇷 yiyecek asansörü

🇰🇷 음식 엘리베이터

🇸🇦 رافعة الطعام

🇨🇿 jídlo výtah

🇸🇰 dumbwaiter

🇨🇳 餐梯

🇸🇮 hrana dvigal

🇮🇸 matur

🇰🇿 тамақ көтергіш

🇬🇪 საკვების ლიფტი

🇦🇿 yemək lift

🇲🇽 dumbwaiter

Etymology

The term 'dumbwaiter' originated in the early 19th century and is a compound word formed from 'dumb', meaning 'unable to speak', and 'waiter', referring to someone who serves. The word reflects the idea that the device operates silently and automatically, transporting items without the need for a human presence. Initially, dumbwaiters were common in large households and hotels to transport food and other items discreetly and efficiently. Over time, they became standard features in many commercial kitchens and residential buildings, evolving in design and technology. The use of dumbwaiters expanded into various settings, reflecting changes in architectural design and the increasing reliance on mechanical means to improve service and efficiency.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,051, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.