Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. A person who usually steers a ship's boat and has charge of its crew.
- n. A person in a racing shell who usually directs the rest of the crew.
- v. To act as coxswain or serve as coxswain for.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. See cockswain.
Wiktionary
- n. In a ship's boat, the helmsman given charge of the boat's crew.
- n. In a rowing crew, the member who steers the shell and coordinates the power and rhythm of the rowers.
- n. The second or third mate of a vessel, in charge of the master's barge.
- n. A rank or position.Canadian Navy Coxswain (or Capitaine d'Armes) is the senior non-commissioned officer aboard a shipBritish Royal Navy Cadets Cadet Coxswain is the highest normal rank which may be achieved.
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. See cockswain.
WordNet 3.0
- n. the helmsman of a ship's boat or a racing crew
Etymologies
- Middle English cokswaynne : cok, cockboat; see cockboat + swain, servant; see swain.
Examples
“Everyone called the coxswain Adam, even his son and partner, Rufus the”
“When they shot around this, of course the coxswain was the only one who immediately saw the exciting scene presented.”
Fred Fenton on the Crew or, The Young Oarsmen of Riverport School
“At 2 a.m. the coastguard on Deal beach called the coxswain of the lifeboat, R. R.berts.”
“Whereupon Jack, calling the coxswain up out of the boat alongside for the purpose of keeping an eye upon things generally, and seeing that no trickery was attempted, went forward to the fore deck, where about three hundred men, women, and children were drawn up in four lines or ranks, two on each side of the deck.”
“Dance the coxswain was the first affected in that way, but after a few moments Mark felt that the poor fellow had been suffering in”
“Keep up your spirits, dear Peggy," said Nell, in that sweet, cosy tone -- if we may say so -- which played such havoc in Bob's bosom at the time when she was known as the coxswain's bride.”
The Coxswain's Bride also, Jack Frost and Sons; and, A Double Rescue
“It was a somewhat strange fancy, but the coxswain was a man who, having taken a fancy, was not easily turned from it.”
The Coxswain's Bride also, Jack Frost and Sons; and, A Double Rescue
“In, bows!" called the coxswain; and the two bowmen tossed and boated their oars, taking their stations in the fore-sheets, one of them with the boat-hook in his hand.”
“As the coxswain was a steady fellow, and the wind was fair, I had no anxiety as to their finding their way.”
“In fact, the coxswain is the commander of the boat's crew.”
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘coxswain’.
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•Unexpected Pronunciation, Now! with Public Acc...
Inspired to publicity by the conversation at segway. Thanks, pals!
boatswain, clapboard, waistcoat, victuals, forecastle, solder, colonel, ensign, worcestershire sauce, creatinine, coelacanth, banal and 77 more...
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If it ain't broke
paint, quaint, maintop, saint, faint, dainty, ain't, unacquainted, the rain in Spain..., ruzuzutainment, 1 Mountain Artill..., Ukraine and 81 more...
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*xsw
A very short list. Apparently the 3-letter string *xsw is rare in English.
madmouth so it's a cocksinship? oh MY Jun 15, 2009
seanahan This one is pronounced very strange, like "cocks-in". Similarly, "boatswain" is pronounced "bo-sin". Jun 11, 2007
thinkcharlene College Jun 11, 2007
chained_bear The helmsman of a boat; the person on board ship having permanent charge of a boat and its crew, of which he has command unless a superior officer is present. See also coxswainship, which is just plain weird. Feb 5, 2007