Definition

A person who is responsible for collecting taxes on certain goods and ensuring that laws related to those taxes are followed.

Example

The exciseman checked the shipment for any undeclared goods subject to excise duty.

Conversation

Did you hear about the new exciseman in town?

Yeah, I heard he’s really strict about collecting taxes.

I wonder what it’s like to be an exciseman these days.

It must be tough, especially with all the regulations to enforce.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Exciseman → It is formed from "excise" (from Latin "excisus", meaning cut out or removed) and "man" (meaning a person). An exciseman is a person who is involved in the collection of excise duties, which are taxes on specific goods, thus relating to the idea of cutting out or removing goods from circulation for taxation.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who 'cuts out' ('excisus') certain goods to collect taxes — that's what an exciseman does.

Visually Confused Words