coxswain

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]
The man on the left is the coxswain of the boat

Alternative forms

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From Middle English cokswain; equivalent to cock (a boat) +‎ swain (boy, servant); hence “the master of a boat”.

Pronunciation

[edit]

Noun

[edit]

coxswain (plural coxswains)

  1. In a ship's boat, the helmsman given charge of the boat's crew.
  2. (rowing) The member of a crew who steers the shell and coordinates the power and rhythm of the rowers.
  3. (archaic) The second or third mate of a vessel, in charge of the master's barge.
  4. (naval) A rank or position.
    Canadian Navy Coxswain (or Capitaine d'Armes) is the senior non-commissioned officer aboard a ship
    British Royal Navy Cadets Cadet Coxswain is the highest normal rank which may be achieved.

Derived terms

[edit]

Translations

[edit]

Verb

[edit]

coxswain (third-person singular simple present coxswains, present participle coxswaining, simple past and past participle coxswained)

  1. (transitive, intransative) To act as coxswain for.
    to coxswain for a college rowing team
    to coxswain a boat

Derived terms

[edit]