Knights companions

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. [1913 Webster]

The companions of his fall. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

The companion of fools shall smart for it. --Prov. xiii. 20 (Rev. Ver.). [1913 Webster]

Here are your sons again; and I must lose Two of the sweetest companions in the world. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

A companion is one with whom we share our bread; a messmate. --Trench. [1913 Webster]

2. A knight of the lowest rank in certain orders; as, a companion of the Bath. [1913 Webster]

3. A fellow; -- in contempt. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]