Com"mo*dore` (?), n.
[Prob. a corruption of commander, or Sp. comendador a knight of a military order who holds a commandery; also a superior of
a monastery, fr. LL.
commendare to command.
Cf. Commend, Command, Commander.]
1. (U. S. Navy)
An officer who ranks next above a captain; sometimes, by courtesy, the senior captain of a
squadron. The rank of commodore corresponds with that of brigadier general in the army.
2. (British Navy) A captain commanding a squadron, or a division
of a fleet,
or having the temporary rank of rear
admiral.
3. A title given
by courtesy to the senior
captain of a line of merchant vessels, and also to the chief officer of a yachting
or rowing club.
4. A familiar for the flagship, or for the principal vessel of a squadron
or fleet.
Hear it pronounced