1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a (often foll. by in, of) a person who accompanies, associates with, or shares with, another (a companion in adversity; they were close companions). b a person, esp. an unmarried or widowed woman, employed to live with and assist another.
2 a handbook or reference book on a particular subject (A Companion to North Wales).
3 a thing that matches another (the companion of this book-end is over there).
4 (Companion) a member of the lowest grade of some orders of knighthood (Companion of the Bath).
5 Astron. a star etc. that accompanies another.
6 equipment or a piece of equipment that combines several uses.
--v.
1. tr. accompany.
2 intr. literary (often foll. by with) be a companion.
Phrases and idioms:
companion in arms a fellow-soldier. Companion of Honour (in the UK) a member of an order founded in 1917. Companion of Literature (in the UK) a member of an order founded in 1961. companion-set a set of fireside implements on a stand.
Etymology: ME f. OF compaignon ult. f. L panis bread 2. n. Naut.
1. a raised frame on a quarterdeck used for lighting the cabins etc. below.
2 companion-way.
Phrases and idioms:
companion-hatch a wooden covering over a companion-way. companion hatchway an opening in a deck leading to a cabin. companion ladder a ladder from a deck to a cabin. companion-way a staircase to a cabin.
Etymology: obs. Du. kompanje quarterdeck f. OF compagne f. It. (camera della) compagna pantry, prob. ult. rel. to COMPANION(1)