n. Nautical A staircase leading from a deck to the cabins or area below. [From companion, framed windows above a hatchway, companionway, probably alteration of obsolete Dutch kompanje, from Old French compagne, steward's cabin, storeroom, from Old Italian (camera della) compagna, (cabin for) provisions, pantry, from Vulgar Latin *compānia, things eaten with bread : Latin com-, com- + Latin pānis, bread; see COMPANION1.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.