argosy

[ ahr-guh-see ]

noun

, plural ar·go·sies.

1. a large merchant ship, especially one with a rich cargo.
2. a fleet of such ships.
3. an opulent supply.

argosy

/ ˈɑːɡəsɪ /

noun

1. archaic.
   a large abundantly laden merchant ship, or a fleet of such ships

Word History and Origins

Origin of argosy¹

1570–80; earlier ragusy < Italian ( nave ) ragusea (ship) of Ragusa

Word History and Origins

Origin of argosy¹

C16: from Italian Ragusea ( nave ) (ship) of Ragusa

Example Sentences

He has adopted a ready-made: the sinless version of Shostakovich peddled by “Testimony,” supplemented by the most lurid tales from Ms. Wilson’s argosy and a published letter or two.

From New York Times

Milo’s argosies of plenty now filled the air.

From Literature

Tripolis, Mexico, England, Lisbon, Barbary, India, “where his argosies with portly sail,” “the pageants of the sea.”

From Project Gutenberg

Their visions of South American argosies melted into thin air.

From Project Gutenberg

If we have inherited a great commerce and dominion of science it is because their argosies had been on the ocean, and their camels on the desert.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cache
• depot
• repository
• stockpile
• storehouse