companion1

[kuh m-pan-yuh n] /kəmˈpæn yən/
noun
1.
a person who is frequently in the company of, associates with, or accompanies another:
my son and his two companions.
2.
a person employed to accompany, assist, or live with another in the capacity of a helpful friend.
3.
a mate or match for something:
White wine is the usual companion of fish.
4.
a handbook or guide:
a bird watcher's companion.
5.
a member of the lowest rank in an order of knighthood or of a grade in an order.
6.
Also called companion star, comes. Astronomy. the fainter of the two stars that constitute a double star.
Compare primary (def 19b).
7.
Obsolete. a fellow.
verb (used with object)
8.
to be a companion to; accompany.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English compainoun < Anglo-French; Old French compaignon < Late Latin compāniōn- (stem of compāniō) messmate, equivalent to com- com- + pān(is) bread + -iōn- -ion; presumably as translation of a Gmc word; compare Gothic gahlaiba, Old High German galeipo
Related forms
companionless, adjective
uncompanioned, adjective
Synonyms
1. comrade, partner, mate. See acquaintance.

companion2

[kuh m-pan-yuh n] /kəmˈpæn yən/
noun, Nautical
1.
a covering over the top of a companionway.
2.
a companionway.
Origin
1755-65; alteration of Dutch kampanje quarterdeck < French (chambre de la) compagne pantry of a medieval galley
Examples from the web for companion
  • My companion says some words to him, and the friend welcomes me naturally and warmly as my companion leaves us.
  • It is a so-called companion metal, left over from molybdenum production, itself a by-product of copper mining.
  • companion animals are being drafted into the war on terrorism.
  • Not to mention that this can be combined effectively with companion planting.
  • In addition to the exhibition, there is also an illustrated companion book and a comprehensive online version of the exhibition.
  • It's a good idea to plant them with companion plants as in the photo, to give the planting more oomph during the off season.
  • The developers have missed a trick with the free companion app, though.
  • As a companion piece to this exchange, have a look at this piece in the print paper.
  • companion planting involves the intentional grouping of certain plants for their mutual benefit as they grow.
  • Delicate mascarpone cheese is a natural companion to sweet caramelized carrots in this brightly hued risotto.
British Dictionary definitions for companion

companion1

/kəmˈpænjən/
noun
1.
a person who is an associate of another or others; comrade
2.
(esp formerly) an employee, usually a woman, who provides company for an employer, esp an elderly woman
3.
  1. one of a pair; match
  2. (as modifier): a companion volume
4.
a guidebook or handbook
5.
a member of the lowest rank of any of certain orders of knighthood
6.
(astronomy) the fainter of the two components of a double star
verb
7.
(transitive) to accompany or be a companion to
Derived Forms
companionless, adjective
Word Origin
C13: from Late Latin compāniō, literally: one who eats bread with another, from Latin com- with + pānis bread

companion2

/kəmˈpænjən/
noun
1.
(nautical)
  1. a raised frame on an upper deck with windows to give light to the deck below
  2. (as modifier): a companion ladder
Word Origin
C18: from Dutch kompanje quarterdeck, from Old French compagne, from Old Italian compagna pantry, perhaps ultimately from Latin pānis bread
Word Origin and History for companion
n.

c.1300, from Old French compagnon "fellow, mate, friend, partner" (12c.), from Late Latin companionem (nominative companio), literally "bread fellow, messmate," from Latin com- "with" (see com-) + panis "bread" (see food).

Found first in 6c. Frankish Lex Salica, and probably a translation of a Germanic word (cf. Gothic gahlaiba "messmate," from hlaib "loaf of bread"). Replaced Old English gefera "traveling companion," from faran "go, fare."