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Argosy: meaning, definitions and examples

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argosy

 

[ ˈɑːrɡəsi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

historical shipping

Argosy refers to a large ship, especially one involved in trade or commerce during historical periods. It often denotes merchant ships that carried valuable goods across seas. The term has its roots in the rich trading heritage of the Mediterranean and the legendary tales of wealth associated with such vessels. Over time, the word has also been used in literature to symbolize abundance and prosperity, evoking images of grand fleets sailing towards distant lands.

Synonyms

freighter, merchant ship, trading vessel

Examples of usage

  • The argosy set sail at dawn, its sails billowing in the wind.
  • We heard tales of the great argosy that brought riches from the East.
  • The port was bustling with argosies preparing for their long voyages.
  • In the story, the argosy was lost to a fierce storm, never to be seen again.

Translations

Translations of the word "argosy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 navio mercante

🇮🇳 व्यापारिक जहाज

🇩🇪 Handelschiff

🇮🇩 kapal dagang

🇺🇦 торгове судно

🇵🇱 statek handlowy

🇯🇵 商船

🇫🇷 navire marchand

🇪🇸 buque mercante

🇹🇷 ticaret gemisi

🇰🇷 상선

🇸🇦 سفينة تجارية

🇨🇿 obchodní loď

🇸🇰 obchodná loď

🇨🇳 商船

🇸🇮 trgovska ladja

🇮🇸 versluskip

🇰🇿 сауда кемесі

🇬🇪 სავაჭრო გემი

🇦🇿 ticarət gəmisi

🇲🇽 barco mercante

Etymology

The word 'argosy' has an intriguing origin that traces back to the Middle Ages, specifically from the Italian word 'ragusea', referring to ships from the city of Ragusa, now known as Dubrovnik, Croatia. This city was a significant maritime trade center in the Adriatic Sea, and its ships were known for their size and the wealth they carried. As trade expanded and the word was adopted into English in the late 16th century, 'argosy' evolved to signify not just any ship, but a grand vessel laden with riches. The use of the term flourished in the Elizabethan era, becoming popular in literature and plays of the time, notably in Shakespeare's works. Over centuries, it has maintained its connotation of grandeur and prosperity, often appearing in discussions of maritime history and trade.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,881, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.