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. compaña 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 ]

v. t. 1. To be a companion to; to attend on; to accompany. [ R. ] Ruskin. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To qualify as a companion; to make equal. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Companion me with my mistress. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Fitted to be a companion; fit for good fellowship; agreeable; sociable. “Each companionable guest.” Mallett. “Companionable wit.” Clarendon.

-- Com*pan"ion*a*ble*ness, n. -- Com*pan"ion*a*bly, adv. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. companionlike; as, companionate marriage; a companionate dog. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Without a companion. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Fellowship; association; the act or fact of keeping company with any one. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

He never seemed to avail himself of my sympathy other than by mere companionship. W. Irving [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. a stairway or ladder that leads from one deck to another on a ship. [ WordNet 1.5 ]