I. kəmˈpanyən noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English compainoun, from Old French compagnon, from Late Latin companion-, companio (probably translation of a Germanic word akin to Gothic gahlaiba companion, fellow soldier, Old High German galeipo companion), from Latin com- + panis bread, loaf, food — more at food
1. : one that accompanies or is in the company of another : one much in the company of another : associate , comrade
the companions of one's youth
armor and infighting are close companions throughout warfare — Tom Wintringham
the report and its companion recommendations
the captain and two companion officers
2.
a. obsolete : a partner or associate especially in some legal or formal relationship (as a spouse or professional colleague)
b.
(1) : a member of an order of knighthood or of chivalry
a companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George
— compare knight-companion
(2) : a member ranking below knight commander in orders having several grades or classes
a companion of the Bath
c. : a member of a companionship of compositors — not now in common use
3. obsolete : fellow , rascal
4.
a. : one of a pair or set of things that match
a companion to the Gutenberg Bible is the Giant Bible of Mainz — Elizabeth E. Hamer
a companion sketch to the original drawing
b. : one employed to live with and to serve someone (as an elderly person or an invalid)
c. usually capitalized : one of Muhammad's closest associates ; specifically : a fellow emigrant from Mecca or one of the citizens of Medina who received and supported Muhammad following the hegira
d. or companion star : a celestial body attendant upon another but not necessarily associated with it in space (as the fainter component of a double-star system)
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to unite in fellowship
2. : to attend or accompany in or as if in the manner of a companion
nuns companioned the pilgrims to the shrine
a true humorist, whose humor is companioned by compassion — B.R.Redman
intransitive verb
: to keep company : chum with someone
fellows he'd companioned with long ago
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: by folk etymology from Dutch kampanje poop deck, perhaps from Italian campagna navigation on the open sea (in the phrase camera della campagna ship's storeroom), literally, open country, from Late Latin campania level country — more at campaign
1.
a. : a structure with frames and sashes formerly incorporated into the deck of a vessel to admit light to a cabin or lower deck
b. : a hood or other covering at the top of a companionway
2.
[by shortening]
: companionway