Stowaway: meaning, definitions and examples
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stowaway
[ ˈstoʊəˌweɪ ]
transportation
A stowaway is a person who hides aboard a vehicle, typically a ship or an aircraft, in order to travel without paying. Stowaways often seek to escape their current circumstances or reach a desired destination incognito. This action is illegal and can pose significant safety risks to both the stowaway and the transport carrier.
Synonyms
freeloader, hitchhiker, illegal passenger.
Examples of usage
- The stowaway was discovered when the ship reached the harbor.
- Authorities apprehended a stowaway trying to board the plane.
- Stowaway incidents have increased over the years.
Translations
Translations of the word "stowaway" in other languages:
🇵🇹 passageiro clandestino
🇮🇳 गुप्त यात्री
🇩🇪 Schwarzfahrer
🇮🇩 penumpang gelap
🇺🇦 незаконний пасажир
🇵🇱 sneak
🇯🇵 密航者
🇫🇷 passager clandestin
🇪🇸 polizón
🇹🇷 kaçak yolcu
🇰🇷 밀항자
🇸🇦 راكب سري
🇨🇿 nelegální pasažér
🇸🇰 nelegálny pasažier
🇨🇳 偷渡者
🇸🇮 potnik brez vozovnice
🇮🇸 farþegi án miða
🇰🇿 жасырын жолаушы
🇬🇪 გაუგებარი მგზავრი
🇦🇿 qaçaq sərnişin
🇲🇽 polizón
Etymology
The term 'stowaway' originates from the combination of the word 'stow', meaning to pack or store away, and 'away', which refers to being out of sight or hidden. First recorded in usage in the late 19th century, it described seafarers who concealed themselves to gain passage on ships without the knowledge of the crew. Over time, the context of the term expanded to include aircraft and other forms of transportation. The practice of stowing away has historical roots, often linked to people seeking better opportunities, particularly during times of economic hardship or in oppressive regimes. Advantages gained through stowing away, however, are often outweighed by the legal consequences and dangers involved, making it a risky choice for those who engage in it.