[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

companion \compan"ion\ ko^mpa^n"yu^n, n. f.
   compagnon, of. compaing, fr. an assumed ll. companio cf.
   companium fellowship, a mess, fr. l. com- + panis bread. see
   pantry.
   1. one who accompanies or is in company with another for a
      longer or shorter period, either from choice or casually;
      one who is much in the company of, or is associated with,
      another or others; an associate; a comrade; a consort; a
      partner.
      1913 webster

            the companions of his fall.           --milton.
      1913 webster

            the companion of fools shall smart for it. --prov.
                                                  xiii. 20 rev.
                                                  ver..
      1913 webster

            here are your sons again; and i must lose
            two of the sweetest companions in the world. --shak.
      1913 webster

            a companion is one with whom we share our bread; a
            messmate.                             --trench.
      1913 webster

   2. a knight of the lowest rank in certain orders; as, a
      companion of the bath.
      1913 webster

   3. a fellow; -- in contempt. obs. --shak.
      1913 webster

   4. cf. osp. compa~na an outhouse, office. naut.
      a a skylight on an upper deck with frames and sashes of
          various shapes, to admit light to a cabin or lower
          deck.
      b a wooden hood or penthouse covering the companion way;
          a companion hatch.
          1913 webster

   companion hatch naut., a wooden porch over the entrance
      or staircase of the cabin.

   companion ladder naut., the ladder by which officers
      ascend to, or descend from, the quarter-deck. --totten.

   companion way naut., a staircase leading to the cabin.

   knights companions, in certain honorary orders, the members
      of the lowest grades as distinguished from knights
      commanders, knights grand cross, and the like.

   syn: associate; comrade; mate; compeer; partner; ally;
        confederate; coadjutor; accomplice.
        1913 webster
see also:
pantry companion hatch companion ladder companion way knights companions 

Appian Way >> A Words
Appian Way, definition of term: Appian Way
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By The Way >> B Words
By The Way, definition of term: By The Way
by+the+way_pag1.html