indiaman
/'indjəmæn/
Học thuậtThân thiện
A majestic indiaman sails across the open sea with its many white sails billowing in the wind.
Definition
- Noun:
- A large merchant sailing ship historically used in trade between Britain and India: Specifically refers to a type of large, armed sailing vessel that was engaged in the British East India trade from the 17th to the 19th centuries.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The indiaman was loaded with spices, tea, and textiles for the voyage back to England.
- Museums sometimes have models of these famous indiamen.
- He served as a captain on an indiaman for many years.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in historical and nautical contexts to describe a specific class of ship from the era of the British East India Company.
- The maritime history of the period is incomplete without understanding the role of the indiaman.
Variants and Related Words
- East Indiaman: A more specific term often used interchangeably with "indiaman," explicitly linking the ship to the East India trade.
- The East Indiaman 'Earl of Abergavenny' was wrecked in 1805.
Synonyms
- Merchantman: A general term for a merchant ship.
- East Indiaman: A direct synonym specifying the trade route.
Notes on Meaning
- The word is a historical term and is not used for modern ships. It specifically denotes vessels from the period of European colonial trade with India.
- While "indiaman" primarily refers to British ships, the term can sometimes be applied to similar vessels from other European nations engaged in the India trade, though this is less common.
A majestic indiaman sails across the open sea with its many white sails billowing in the wind.
Noun
- a large sailing ship that was engaged in the British trade with India