Lexic.us

Definition of Midshipman

1. Noun. A temporary rank held by young naval officers in training.

Definition of Midshipman

1. n. Formerly, a kind of naval cadet, in a ship of war, whose business was to carry orders, messages, reports, etc., between the officers of the quarter-deck and those of the forecastle, and render other services as required.

Definition of Midshipman

1. Noun. (nautical) An officer of the lowest rank in several navies; ''especially'', a trainee officer. ¹

2. Noun. (nautical uncountable) This officer rank. ¹

3. Noun. (biology) A midshipman fish. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Midshipman

1. [n MIDSHIPMEN]

Medical Definition of Midshipman

1. 1. Formerly, a kind of naval cadet, in a ship of war, whose business was to carry orders, messages, reports, etc, between the officers of the quarter-deck and those of the forecastle, and render other services as required. In the English naval service, the second rank attained by a combatant officer after a term of service as naval cadet. Having served three and a half years in this rank, and passed an examination, he is eligible to promotion to the rank of lieutenant. In the United States navy, the lowest grade of officers in line of promotion, being graduates of the Naval Academy awaiting promotion to the rank of ensign. 2. An American marine fish of the genus Porichthys, allied to the toadfish. Cadet midshipman, formerly a title distinguishing a cadet line officer from a cadet engineer at the U. S. Naval Academy. See Cadet. Cadet midshipman, formerly, a naval cadet who had served his time, passed his examinations, and was awaiting promotion; now called, in the United States, midshipman; in England, sublieutenant. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Midshipman

Literary usage of Midshipman

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Gentleman's Magazine (1816)
"Killed—Mr. J. Hawkins, midshipman. Wounded—Mr. GNWesley, mare, and Mr. H. Quirm, contusions. ... Wounded—Mr. AS Symes, midshipman, lower jaw. Infernal. ..."

2. The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography: Being the History of the by James Terry White (1895)
"He was appointed midshipman from Alabama in September, 1838, made several cruises in foreign waters.and, after studying at the naval school in Philadelphia, ..."

3. The Parliamentary Debatesby Thomas Curson Hansard, Great Britain Parliament by Thomas Curson Hansard, Great Britain Parliament (1821)
"fît him his discharge, and he "v'i discharged by captain Jones rating, him as a midshipman; as I fancy there was no vacancy for a clerk, he was rated a ..."

4. United States Supreme Court Reports by Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Company, United States Supreme Court (1888)
"Cadet-midshipman—claim for additional pay. 1. A cadet midshipman at the naval ... Calling a student a cadet midshipman, In pursuance of the Act of July 15 ..."

5. Heads of the People: Or, Portraits of the English by Joseph Kenny Meadows (1878)
"THE midshipman !—this beauty and beau ideal of the naval service is fast passing ... But the real midshipman—the dashing little midshipman; in what light ..."

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