sailor

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A person who works on a ship or sails boats.

   He's a talented sailor and has spent many years at sea.

2. 2
   noun

   A member of a country's navy.

   The young sailor was proud to serve in the navy.

Alteration of earlier sailer, from Middle English sailer, sayler, saylere, equivalent to sail + -or. Cognate with German Segler (“sailor”). Eclipsed non-native Middle English marinel, marynell (“sailor”) borrowed from Old French marinel (“sailor”). See mariner.

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