time-served

See also: time served

English

Adjective

time-served (not comparable)

1. (of a craftsman etc.) Having completed an apprenticeship or period of training, thus acquiring skills.
   • 2022 May 28, Phil McCulty, “Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid”, in BBC Sport:

     Liverpool have looked a little jaded from their exertions in recent weeks and there was an air of desperation about their attempts to restore equality in the closing minutes in the face of the experience and game management of opponents who are time-served masters of the Champions League art.

2. Having completed many years of service.
   • 2023 February 8, Tony Streeter, “Kirkdale: home to Merseyrail's new '777s'”, in RAIL, number 976, page 36:

     The introduction of Classes 507 (built 1978-80) and '508' (1979-80) allowed the withdrawal of time-served London Midland & Scottish Railway '502s' and '503s' - designs that dated back to the 1930s.

References

• “time-served”, in Collins English Dictionary.