companion ladder

Companion \Com*pan"ion\ (k[o^]m*p[a^]n"y[u^]n), n. [F.
   compagnon, OF. compaing, fr. an assumed LL. companio (cf.
   companium fellowship, a mess), fr. L. com- + panis bread. See
   {Pantry}.]
   1. One who accompanies or is in company with another for a
      longer or shorter period, either from choice or casually;
      one who is much in the company of, or is associated with,
      another or others; an associate; a comrade; a consort; a
      partner.
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            The companions of his fall.           --Milton.
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            The companion of fools shall smart for it. --Prov.
                                                  xiii. 20 (Rev.
                                                  Ver.).
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            Here are your sons again; and I must lose
            Two of the sweetest companions in the world. --Shak.
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            A companion is one with whom we share our bread; a
            messmate.                             --Trench.
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   2. A knight of the lowest rank in certain orders; as, a
      companion of the Bath.
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   3. A fellow; -- in contempt. [Obs.] --Shak.
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   4. [Cf. OSp. compa[~n]a an outhouse, office.] (Naut.)
      (a) A skylight on an upper deck with frames and sashes of
          various shapes, to admit light to a cabin or lower
          deck.
      (b) A wooden hood or penthouse covering the companion way;
          a companion hatch.
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   {Companion hatch} (Naut.), a wooden porch over the entrance
      or staircase of the cabin.

   {Companion ladder} (Naut.), the ladder by which officers
      ascend to, or descend from, the quarter-deck. --Totten.

   {Companion way} (Naut.), a staircase leading to the cabin.

   {Knights companions}, in certain honorary orders, the members
      of the lowest grades as distinguished from knights
      commanders, knights grand cross, and the like.

   Syn: Associate; comrade; mate; compeer; partner; ally;
        confederate; coadjutor; accomplice.
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