Word Study
commodore
CIDE DICTIONARY
commodore, n. [Prob. a corruption of commander, or Sp. comendador a knight of a military order who holds a commandery; also a superior of a monastery, fr. LL. commendare to command. Cf. Commend, Command, Commander.].
- An officer who ranks next above a captain; sometimes, by courtesy, the senior captain of a squadron. The rank of commodore corresponds with that of brigadier general in the army. [1913 Webster]
- A captain commanding a squadron, or a division of a fleet, or having the temporary rank of rear admiral. [1913 Webster]
- A title given by courtesy to the senior captain of a line of merchant vessels, and also to the chief officer of a yachting or rowing club. [1913 Webster]
- A familiar for the flagship, or for the principal vessel of a squadron or fleet. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
commodore, n.
1 a naval officer above a captain and below a rear-admiral.
2 the commander of a squadron or other division of a fleet.
3 the president of a yacht-club.
4 the senior captain of a shipping line.
1 a naval officer above a captain and below a rear-admiral.
2 the commander of a squadron or other division of a fleet.
3 the president of a yacht-club.
4 the senior captain of a shipping line.
Idiom
Commodore-in-Chief the supreme officer in the air force.
Etymology
prob. f. Du. komandeur f. F commandeur COMMANDER
ROGET THESAURUS
commodore
Master
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