Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who helps to carry a stretcher: A stretcher-bearer is an individual, often in a military or emergency context, whose role is to assist in transporting an injured or sick person on a stretcher.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The wounded soldier was carefully carried to the field hospital by two stretcher-bearers.
  • During the disaster, volunteers acted as stretcher-bearers to evacuate the injured.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Military Context: The term is strongly associated with military medical services, particularly in historical conflicts where soldiers were designated to carry the wounded from the battlefield.
  • Stretcher-bearers in World War I often worked under extremely dangerous conditions.

Variants and Related Words

• Stretcher (n): A portable frame for carrying a sick, injured, or dead person.
  • The paramedics placed the accident victim on a stretcher.
• Litter-bearer (n): A synonym for stretcher-bearer, though less common.
• Medic (n): A medical practitioner, especially in the armed forces. A medic may also perform the duties of a stretcher-bearer, but the roles are not identical.

Synonyms

• Litter-bearer: A person who carries a litter (a type of stretcher).
• Bearer: In this specific context, one who carries a load, though this is a very general term.

Related Phrases

• To serve as a stretcher-bearer: To perform the duty of carrying a stretcher.
  • Many civilians were asked to serve as stretcher-bearers after the earthquake.

Noun

1. one who helps carry a stretcher