A 'cropper' is primarily someone who harvests crops, especially as a tenant farmer or farm laborer. It can also refer to a specific type of domestic pigeon or to something that severs or cuts something off. The term embodies concepts of agricultural labor, harvest, and separation. Figuratively, it can also denote someone or something that undergoes a sudden, often negative, change or decline. The word's meaning is thus context-dependent, ranging from straightforward agricultural descriptions to metaphorical understandings of loss or severance.
Cropper meaning with examples
- The sharecropper toiled relentlessly, their hands calloused from years of working the land. They harvested the cotton crop, hoping for a bountiful yield to meet their family's needs and satisfy the demands of the landowner. This year, the cropper's success depended heavily on unpredictable weather conditions, which could either flourish or destroy their efforts.
- During the harvest season, the farm employed several seasonal croppers to help bring in the grain. Their days were long, filled with the backbreaking work of reaping and binding. Each cropper received a portion of the harvest as payment, incentivizing them to work efficiently. The entire farm's economic survival depended on the hard work of its croppers.
- The experienced pigeon breeder was fascinated with the diverse forms of the cropper pigeon, specifically the structure of its crop and how it was built. He spent countless hours observing their unique behaviors. Selecting for specific traits became his passion, to develop the ideal conformation of the bird. He also documented his observations, adding to scientific knowledge about the cropper.
- The storm's force was so strong, that the wind completely croppered the top of the old oak tree in the garden. The neighborhood was covered in the remnants of fallen limbs and branches, completely altering the aesthetic of the house. After the storm passed, the owner was left with the difficult task of removing the destroyed remains.
- After the company's scandal, the share price suffered a severe cropper, dropping significantly in a matter of days. Many investors lost their fortunes, a sudden decline and an unforeseen event. The fallout led to significant changes within the company's leadership and operational practices. The incident acted as a pivotal change within the company, a hard and painful ending.
Cropper Crossword Answers
6 Letters
REAPER
9 Letters
HARVESTER
12 Letters
SHARECROPPER
15 Letters
SHARECROPFARMER