com|pan|ion

com|pan|ion¹ «kuhm PAN yuhn», noun, verb.

–n.

1. one who goes along with or accompanies another; one who shares in what another is doing; comrade: »

The twins were companions in work and play.

SYNONYM(S): associate.

2. a person paid to live or travel with another as a friend and helper.

3. Figurative. anything that matches or goes with another in kind, size, and color: »

I can't find the companion to this shoe.

4. a member of the lowest rank of an order of knighthood.

5. Astronomy. one of the stars of a double star whose light is fainter than the other: »

the faint companion of Sirius.

6. Obsolete. fellow (used contemptuously).

–v.t.

to be a companion to; go along with; accompany.

–v.i.

to associate.

╂[< Old French compaignon < Late Latin compāniōnem, accusative of compāniō < Latin com-together + pānis bread]

–com|pan´ion|less, adjective.

com|pan|ion² «kuhm PAN yuhn», noun.

1. a hatch or covering over the top of a companionway.

2. = companionway. (Cf. ↑companionway)

╂[< Dutch kampanje quarterdeck < Middle Dutch compaenge < Old French compagne steward's room in a galley < Vulgar Latin compānia < Late Latin compāniō; see etym. under companion¹ (Cf. ↑companion)]