midshipman

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A student training to be a commissioned naval officer, especially a student at a naval academy.
2. n. Any of various fishes of the genus Porichthys, having several rows of light-producing organs along their bodies.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A warrant officer in the British navy of the lowest grade of officers in the line of promotion. His special duties are to pass the orders of the captain and other quarter-deck officers to the crew and to superintend the performance of them.
2. n. In the United States navy, formerly, an officer of corresponding rank and duties whose designation is now naval cadet.
3. n. In ichthyology, a batrachoid fish, Porichthys margaritatus: so called from the rows of round luminous bodies along the belly, like the buttons of a naval cadet's coat. The body is naked, and there are several of these conspicuous lateral lines formed of shining pearl-like bodies embedded in the skin. The dorsal fin has two spines. The fish is common along the Pacific coast of the United States, and reaches a length of about 15 inches.
4. n. In 1902, Congress abolished the title of naval cadet in the United States navy and restored the title of midshipman. These officers are not commissioned officers, but receive appointments on probation, on the nomination of the President of the United States, of senators, or of congressmen, and the passage of an entrance examination to the Naval Academy. The course of instruction at the Naval Academy lasts four years and is followed by two years at sea, after which midshipmen are promoted to ensigns or second lieutenants of marines upon passing a final examination.

Wiktionary

1. n. nautical An officer of the lowest rank in several navies; especially, a trainee officer.
2. n. nautical, uncountable This officer rank.
3. n. biology A midshipman fish.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. Formerly, a kind of naval cadet, in a ship of war, whose business was to carry orders, messages, reports, etc., between the officers of the quarter-deck and those of the forecastle, and render other services as required.
2. n. In the English naval service, the second rank attained by a combatant officer after a term of service as naval cadet. Having served three and a half years in this rank, and passed an examination, he is eligible to promotion to the rank of lieutenant.
3. n. In the United States navy, the lowest grade of officers in line of promotion, being students or graduates of the Naval Academy awaiting promotion to the rank of ensign.
4. n. (Zoöl.) An American marine fish of the genus Porichthys, allied to the toadfish; also called singingfish.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a temporary rank held by young naval officers in training