captain — the person in command of a ship or aircraft
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: the person in command of a ship or aircraft
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkæptɪn/
Example Sentences
- The captain went down with his ship, but luckily it was just a toy boat in the bathtub.
- Our team captain always arrives first and leaves last.
- Captain Hook was afraid of crocodiles, which is ironic for a pirate.
captain
NOUN[/ˈkæptɪn/]
the person in command of a ship or aircraft
The captain safely guided the ship through the storm.
The captain led the crew safely across the ocean. (Cap + Leader → The one wearing the cap leads the team.)
The captain gave clear commands, united the team, and led everyone to victory.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Captain derives from Latin caput meaning 'head'. The word evolved through Old French capitaine, which extended the sense of 'head' to mean a leader or commander. The metaphorical progression from 'head' to 'one who leads' (whether a ship or military unit) reflects how the physical sense of head became a position of authority.
Breakdown
caput (Latin: head) + -anus (Latin agent/leader suffix) → capitaneus (Latin: chief, leader) → capitaine (Old French) → captain (Middle English).
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The captain went down with his ship, but luckily it was just a toy boat in the bathtub.”
“Our team captain always arrives first and leaves last.”
“Captain Hook was afraid of crocodiles, which is ironic for a pirate.”
“She captained the debate team to victory in the national championship.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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