shipboy

[ ship-boi ]

noun

1. ship's boy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shipboy¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; ship ¹ + boy

Example Sentences

He took charge of all our letters––from those written to parent, friend, or lady love left behind, to the tender lines penned by the least shipboy, taking a long farewell of the mother who standing on the pier, waved her hand to her child whose home was henceforward to be on the deep, until long after we sailed.

From Project Gutenberg

His creations are original and new throughout; the mime disappears, and we have before as the gossiping old man, the rough shipboy, the simple-hearted recruit.

From Project Gutenberg

She was the prize of many a toilsome year, And hardwon wages, on the perilous sea— Of savings ever since the shipboy's tear Was shed for home, that lay beyond the lee;— She was purveyor for his other dear Mary, and for the infant yet to be Fruit of their married loves.

From Project Gutenberg

But there arose a south-east wind, which blew so vehemently they lost their way, and in a manner going back to the country of the Furred Law-cats, they entered into a huge gulf, where the sea ran so high and terrible that the shipboy on the top of the mast cried out he again saw the habitation of Gripe-men-all; upon which Panurge, frightened almost out of his wits, roared out, Dear master, in spite of the wind and waves, change your course, and turn the ship's head about.

From Project Gutenberg

Sleep, gentle sleep— Wilt thou, upon the high and giddy mast, Seal up the shipboy's eyes, and rock his brains, In cradle of the rude imperious surge; And in the visitation of the winds, Who take the ruffian billows by the top, Curling their monstrous heads, and hanging them With deafning clamour in the slippery clouds, That, with the hurry, death itself awakes— Canst thou, O partial sleep! give thy repose To the wet sea—boy in an hour so rude?

From Project Gutenberg