seaman

English

/ˈsiːmən/

noun
Definitions
  • A mariner or sailor, one who mans a ship. Opposed to landman or landsman.
  • (British) A person of the lowest rank in the Navy, below able seaman.
  • (US) An enlisted rate in the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard, ranking below petty officer third class and above seaman apprentice.
  • A merman; the male of the mermaid.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English seman inherited from Old English sǣmann (seaman) suf from English sea.

Origin

English

sea

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms