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View synonyms for coxswain

coxswain

[ kok-suhn ]

noun

  1. a person who steers a racing shell.
  2. a person who is in charge of a ship's boat and its crew, under an officer, and who steers it.


coxswain

/ ˈkɒksən; -ˌsweɪn /

noun

  1. the helmsman of a lifeboat, racing shell, etc Also calledcockswain


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Pronunciation Note

The spelling pronunciation [kok, -sweyn] is almost never used.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of coxswain1

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English cokeswayne; cockboat, swain

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Word History and Origins

Origin of coxswain1

C15: from cock a ship's boat + swain

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Example Sentences

I looked behind me and saw that the officer, the coxswain, who only had to steer the boat, had fallen asleep.

With this coxswain he conversed long about the nature of his stirring and dangerous duties.

This is the east pier watch-house; the marine residence, if we may so express it, of the coxswain of the lifeboat and his men.

Despite darkness and turmoil the quick-eyed coxswain and his mate had noted the incident.

Pike payed out the hawser, the coxswain eased off the spring; away went the boat, and next moment Pike had Stanley by the hair.

A box near the coxswain a feet was opened, and a blue-light taken out.

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