Industrial Revolution Vocabulary

noun a blacksmith's workshop; a place where metal is heated and hammered into shape

verb to create or form something, especially through skill and effort; to make or produce something falsely with the intention to deceive

• The blacksmith used a hammer and anvil to forge the metal into a sword.
• I'm going to try to forge a signature on my report card.
• Let's forge some fake IDs so we can get into the club.
• Through hard work and determination, she was able to forge a successful career for herself.

adjective pertaining to a germ or seed

• The germinal stage of development is crucial for the formation of new ideas.
• The germinal idea for the project came to me in the shower.
• I'm always on the lookout for germinal trends to stay ahead of the game.
• The artist's germinal creativity sparked a revolution in the art world.

noun a person who creates or devises a new process, device, or invention

article a word that is used with a noun to specify grammatical definiteness of the noun

• The inventor of the light bulb is often credited to Thomas Edison.
• My uncle is quite the inventor, always coming up with new gadgets in his workshop.
• That kid is a real inventor, always finding creative solutions to problems.
• She was the inventor of her own destiny, forging her path in life with determination and courage.

noun a laborer who works on a construction site or in excavation projects, typically performing heavy physical work

• The navvy worked diligently to dig the trench for the new water pipe.
• The navvy is always covered in dirt after a long day of construction work.
• Hey, that navvy over there is a hard worker, always getting the job done.
• She's a real navvy when it comes to tackling tough projects at work.

noun The working class; the social class consisting of people who earn a living through manual labor

• The proletariat is often referred to as the working class in a capitalist society.
• The proletariat are the blue-collar workers who keep the economy running.
• The proles are the backbone of society, man.
• In the chess game of society, the proletariat are the pawns.

noun a track or set of tracks made of steel rails along which passenger and freight trains run

• The railroad company announced plans to expand their network across the country.
• We took the railroad to get to the city for the weekend.
• Let's hop on the railroad and head downtown.
• The new policy is like laying down the tracks for a smoother railroad ahead.

noun a track or set of tracks made of steel rails along which passenger and freight trains run

• The railway system in this country is known for its efficiency and punctuality.
• Let's take the railway to get to the city center, it's much faster than driving.
• I heard there's a shortcut through the railway tracks, but it's risky.
• The railway of life can take us on unexpected journeys, full of twists and turns.

noun a path or road alongside a canal or river, used for towing boats or barges

• The towpath along the canal is popular among cyclists and walkers.
• Let's take a stroll down the towpath by the river.
• I love hanging out on the towpath with my buds.
• The towpath of life may have its ups and downs, but keep moving forward.

noun a wealthy business owner or industrialist who gained their wealth through exploitation and unethical business practices

• The term 'robber baron' refers to a business magnate in the late 19th century known for their ruthless tactics and monopolistic practices.
• Back in the day, the robber barons were the big shot businessmen who made a ton of money by any means necessary.
• Those robber barons were straight up greedy and didn't care who they stepped on to get ahead.
• In the world of finance, some may see hedge fund managers as modern-day robber barons, wielding immense power and influence.

noun a furnace or oven used to process limestone to produce lime

• The historical limekiln was meticulously restored to its original state.
• Let's go explore the old limekiln down by the river.
• I heard there's some cool graffiti at the abandoned limekiln site.
• His anger burned like a limekiln, fierce and unrelenting.

noun a genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery and settings inspired by the industrialized Western world of the 19th century

• The steampunk genre combines elements of science fiction and historical settings.
• I love dressing up in steampunk outfits for cosplay events.
• That steampunk movie was totally rad!
• Her mind was like a steampunk machine, full of intricate gears and mechanisms.