lifemann.
/ˈlʌɪfmən/, U.S. /ˈlaɪfmən/ rare.
Stephen Potter's term for: a person who practises lifemanship; one who is skilful in acquiring an advantage or ‘edge’ over another.
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the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > [noun] > advantage over another > skill in acquiring an advantage > one who
lifeman1949
1949 S. Potter in Atlantic May 57/1 There is no finer spectacle than the sight of a good Lifeman, so ignorant that he can scarcely spell the simplest word, make an expert look a fool in his own subject.
1950 S. Potter Some Notes Lifemanship 14 The Lifeman is never caddish himself.
1959 Times 9 Apr. 15/3 You mean, don't you, that he was nearly the greatest European lifeman?
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1949