Collins English-English Dictionary

companion [kəm'pænjən]

1. 1. n a person who is an associate of another or others; comrade

2. 2. n (esp formerly) an employee, usually a woman, who provides company for an employer, esp an elderly woman

3. 3. n one of a pair; match

4. 4. n (as modifier)

   a companion volume

5. 5. n a guidebook or handbook

6. 6. n a member of the lowest rank of any of certain orders of knighthood

7. 7. n [Astronomy] the fainter of the two components of a double star

8. 8. vt. [tr] to accompany or be a companion to

9. 9. vt. [Etymology] C13: from Late Latin companio, literally: one who eats bread with another, from Latin com- with + panis bread

companion [kəm'pænjən]

1. 1. n [nautical] a raised frame on an upper deck with windows to give light to the deck below

2. 2. n (as modifier)

   a companion ladder

3. 3. n [Etymology] C18: from Dutch kompanje quarterdeck, from Old French compagne, from Old Italian compagna pantry, perhaps ultimately from Latin panis bread