Tilemakers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A person or entity that constructs or sells tiles, typically for flooring or wall applications; someone skilled in the art of creating decorative ceramic or stone materials for building; an individual engaged in the craft of producing durable, often glazed or patterned, surfaces for architectural use
2. A craftsman involved in the fabrication or retail of various types of tiles, including those for both functional and decorative purposes; one who specializes in manufacturing ceramic or stone materials used in construction and design; someone who works with different techniques to produce aesthetically pleasing and practical surfaces
3. An artisan who focuses on making and selling tiles used in home and building projects; someone knowledgeable in the methods of creating decorative and sturdy materials for installations; a professional dedicated to crafting and supplying tiles for aesthetic and functional applications

Etymology: "Tilemakers" is the plural of "tilemaker," a compound of "tile" and "maker." The tile half comes from Old English "tigele," borrowed from Latin "tegula," a roof tile, a word built on "tegere," to cover. The maker half is the ordinary Old English "macere," from the same root as "make." Put together, the word is about as literal as English compounds get: a person who makes tiles. Because both parts are plain native material, the term needed no special coinage. Its meaning has stayed close to the literal sense, so the word simply names the trade. Some of the most common uses of the plural are in trade directories, historic guild records and the names of workshops, where a group of tile-producing craftsmen is referred to together.

Synonyms: ceramicists, potters