ship's company

noun pl. companies

1. companionship; society: to enjoy another's company
2. a group of people; specif.,
   1. a group gathered for social purposes
   2. a group associated for some purpose, as to form a commercial or industrial firm: a theatrical company, a manufacturing company
3. a trade guild in the Middle Ages
4. the partners whose names are not given in the title of a firm: John Smith and Company
5. a guest or guests; visitor or visitors
6. a habitual associate or associates: people are judged by the company they keep
7. Mil. a body of troops; specif., the lowest administrative unit, as of infantry, normally composed of two or more platoons and a headquarters
8. all of a ship's personnel, including the officers
   in full ship's company

Origin: ME & OFr compaignie < VL compania, lit., group sharing bread: see companion

transitive verb companied, companying

intransitive verb