companion Hear it!

companion¹ Definition

com·pan·ion (kəm pan′yən)

noun

  1. a person who associates with or accompanies another or others; associate; comrade
  2. a person employed to live or travel with another
  3. either of two persons not married to each other but otherwise in an intimate, spouse-like relationship: often, specif., used when the persons are of the same sex
  4. a member of the lowest rank in an order of knighthood
  5. a thing that matches another in sort, color, etc.; one of a pair or set
  6. a handbook on a specific subject a companion to French literature
  7. Obsolete a scoundrel

Etymology: ME compainoun < OFr compagnon < VL *companio, lit., bread fellow, messmate (calque of Goth gahlaiba, one who eats of the same bread < ga-, with + hlaifs, bread, loaf) < L com-, with + panis, bread

transitive verb

to accompany

companion² Definition

com·pan·ion (kəm pan′yən)

noun

  1. the covering at the head of a companionway
  2. companionway

Etymology: Du kampanje, quarterdeck < OFr compagne, steward's room in a galley < It (camera della) compagna, (room of the) company, crew < VL compania: see company

companion Synonyms

companion

n.

  1. An associate

    friend, partner, mate, comrade; see associate, friend 1, mate 2.

  2. One who accompanies another

    attendant, escort, chaperon, nurse, practical nurse, home health aide, governess, matron, safeguard, protector, guide, convoy. See syn. study at associate.associate.

companion Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • travel: I told the Count briefly of the death of my traveling companion.

Converse of subject

  • accompany: Meetings The employe has the right to be accompanied by a companion who is a worker or trade union official.

Adjective modifier

  • canine: The effect of a canine companion during the first year of a dog's life on the likelihood of referral appears to be quite limited.
  • constant: Then make the Bible a book which is your constant companion for the rest of your life.
  • indispensable: Writers and editors of all kinds will find this handy guide an indispensable companion in their work.
  • faithful: Not only did he bear a passing resemblance to the young reporter, he was also accompanied by a faithful canine companion.
  • perfect: The USB Massage Ball is the perfect desktop companion for use at home or the office.
  • loyal: In return he will be a wonderful and loyal companion.

Modifies a noun

  • planting: Covers topics such as sustain-ability, companion planting and seed propagation.
  • volume: It is a companion volume to the Lone Pine titles written by Malcolm Saville.
  • animal: Write a poem about keeping a companion animal, with a happy ending.
  • galaxy: These observations will allow us for the first time to probe the many X-ray binary systems that exist in this companion galaxy.
  • piece: A perfect companion piece to Art of Marvel Vol.
  • star: In X-ray binaries a black hole or neutron star is devouring material from its companion star.

Noun used with modifier

  • boon: The shops were all shut, and some rollicking boon companions came shouting along from the public-house.
  • dining: I had sat no further from a Cabinet Minister than from a dining companion, and had abused him according to my conscience.
  • travel: Carrying Case The Motion Compact Carrying Case is the ideal travel companion for your Motion tablet.
  • drinking: Summer Solstice is regarded as the perfect summer cask ale drinking companion.
  • robot: A robot companion approaching a seated person in a helping context.

Preposition: of

  • apostle: Thus the Gospels came into existence, two by apostles themselves, and two by friends and close companions of the apostles.
companion Quotes

Nay, good sir, be not so violent; with speed I cannot render satisfaction Unto the dear companion of my soul, Virginity, whom I thus long have lived with, And part with it so rude and suddenly. Can such friends divide, never to meet again, Without a solemn farewell?

—Middleton,Thomas

I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.

—Thoreau, Henry David

Dieu cre¤  a l'homme, et ne le trouvant pas assez seul, il lui donne une compagne pour lui faire mieux sentir sa solitude. God created man and, finding him not sufficientlyalone, gave him a companion to make him feel his solitude more keenly.

—Vale¤  ry, Paul

Apre'  s le rare bonheur de trouver une compagne qui nous soit bien assortie, l'e¤  tat le moins malheureux de la vie est sans doute de vivre seul. After the rare happiness of finding a companion with whom we are well matched, the least unpleasant state of life is without doubt to live alone.

—Bernardin de Saint-Pierre,Jacques-Henri

The ideal companion in bed is a good book.

—Davies, Robertson

I live in company with a body, a silent companion, exacting and eternal.He it iswho notesthat individuality whichistheseal oftheweakness ofourrace.Mysoul has wings, but the brutal jailer is strict.

—Delacroix, (Ferdinand Victor) Euge'  ne