coxswain
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Middle English cokswain; equivalent to cock (“a boat”) + swain (“boy, servant”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): (Received Pronunciation) /ˈkɒk.s(ə)n/, (spelling pronunciation) /ˈkɒkˌsweɪn/
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈkɑk.s(ə)n/
Audio (US): (file) - Rhymes: -ɒksən
Noun
coxswain (plural coxswains)
- In a ship's boat, the helmsman given charge of the boat's crew.
- (rowing) The member of a crew who steers the shell and coordinates the power and rhythm of the rowers.
- (archaic) The second or third mate of a vessel, in charge of the master's barge.
- (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
Translations
crew member who helms a boat
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a crew member in a rowing team who gives the rhythm
Verb
coxswain (third-person singular simple present coxswains, present participle coxswaining, simple past and past participle coxswained)
- (transitive, intransative) To act as coxswain for.
- to coxswain for a college rowing team
- to coxswain a boat