bosun
6
9.6
- noun
- /ˈboʊsən/
- Specialized
:
contramaestre
- The bosun was a hard-faced older woman, no mods, her age showing.
- bosun's mate
- bosun's whistle
- bosun's chair
Examples
-
The bosun turned to lead the way out of the shuttle.
Fiction book (2000) -
- Cut the net, Bosun.
-
- Bosun, just drop the thing down over there.
-
We need a bosun, Danny-boy.
-
The bosun would need a look at the number three hatch; he'd take him there.
Fiction book (1996) -
Captain Newton, the trunk's already in your cabin. - Thank you, Bosun. - Bless you, sir.
-
He was calling to me... a young bosun named Eddie Corrick.
-
Pleased at how quickly she had polished off her latest, Amber turned to face the bosun commanding the shuttle.
Fiction book (2000) -
The bosun directed the crew as they prepared the ship for departure.
-
Every morning, the bosun ensured that the deck was clean and ready for duty.
Synonyms
5
9.9
A ship officer who looks after equipment and leads the crew that keeps it working
1
9.9
A senior crew member on a ship who watches the deck crew and keeps equipment working
A senior sailor who directs the work of other sailors on a cargo ship
A ship officer who leads the deck crew and gives them orders
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Bosun comes from the older word boatswain, which is made of boat and swain, where 'swain' meant 'servant' or 'man'. So a bosun was the 'boat servant' who looked after the deck crew and equipment, and that is why today a bosun is the ship officer who supervises the deckhands.