clothes-man

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A dealer in second-hand clothing: "clothes-man" refers to a person who buys and sells used or old clothing. This is the primary definition, often associated with traders in vintage or cast-off garments.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The clothes-man set up his stall at the market, selling old coats and hats. (A dealer in second-hand clothing.)
  • In the 19th century, a clothes-man would travel from house to house collecting used garments. (A historical trader in old clothes.)

Advanced Usage

• "old clothes-man": a specific term for a person who specializes in buying and selling very worn or antique clothing.
  • The old clothes-man had a shop full of Victorian-era dresses. (A dealer in antique or heavily used garments.)

Variants and Related Words

• Clothes dealer (n): a more general term for someone who trades in clothing, new or used.

  • The clothes dealer offered a fair price for the vintage jackets. (A seller of clothing items.)

• Clothes shop (n): a store where clothing is sold.

  • She bought a dress from a local clothes shop. (A retail establishment for garments.)

Synonyms

• Second-hand dealer: a person who trades in used goods, including clothing.
• Ragman: a historical term for a collector of old clothes and rags, similar to a clothes-man.

Related Idioms

• "to dress like a clothes-man": an old-fashioned idiom meaning to wear mismatched or shabby clothing.
  • After the long journey, he looked like a clothes-man, with torn trousers and a stained shirt. (To appear poorly dressed or in second-hand attire.)