Merchantman: meaning, definitions and examples
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merchantman
[ ˈmɜːrchəntmən ]
shipping trade
A merchantman is a merchant ship that is used for the transportation of goods and cargo. Unlike naval vessels that are used for military purposes, merchantmen play a crucial role in international trade and commerce by facilitating the movement of resources around the world.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The merchantman docked at the harbor to unload its cargo.
- During the 18th century, many merchantmen sailed the Atlantic Ocean.
- Merchantmen faced dangers from pirates while transporting valuable goods.
- The shipping industry relies heavily on merchantmen for global trade.
Translations
Translations of the word "merchantman" in other languages:
🇵🇹 navio mercante
🇮🇳 व्यापारी जहाज
🇩🇪 Handelschiff
🇮🇩 kapal niaga
🇺🇦 торгове судно
🇵🇱 statek handlowy
🇯🇵 商船
🇫🇷 navire marchand
🇪🇸 buque mercante
🇹🇷 ticaret gemisi
🇰🇷 상선
🇸🇦 سفينة تجارية
🇨🇿 obchodní loď
🇸🇰 obchodná loď
🇨🇳 商船
🇸🇮 trgovsko plovilo
🇮🇸 verslunarskip
🇰🇿 сауда кемесі
🇬🇪 სავაჭრო გემი
🇦🇿 ticarət gəmisi
🇲🇽 buque mercante
Etymology
The term 'merchantman' has its roots in Middle English, derived from the combination of the word 'merchant' and the suffix '-man', which indicates a person associated with a particular occupation. The word 'merchant' itself originates from the Latin 'mercari', meaning 'to trade' or 'to deal in goods', while '-man' is an Old English word meaning 'man' or 'person'. Historically, merchant ships have been essential for commerce, dating back thousands of years to ancient civilizations that relied on maritime trade routes to exchange goods. The role of merchantmen has evolved significantly with advancements in shipbuilding and navigation technology. In modern contexts, the term encompasses a wide range of vessels designed to carry cargo for trade purposes, highlighting the importance of maritime transport in the global economy.