noun
devil
An apprentice working in a printing shop.
The printer's devil carries fresh sheets across the workshop.
Etymology
Printer’s devil was a traditional nickname for a print-shop apprentice. The shorter devil preserves that occupational label, though the precise origin of the nickname is uncertain.
More examples
- The young devil cleaned ink from the press.
- Several printers began their careers as devils.
- The historical account describes the duties of a printer's devil.
Forms
devil · devils