petty officer
[petty a. 3.]
1. generally. A minor or inferior officer.
| 1577–87 Holinshed Chron. I. 53/2 Petie officers to oversee and overrule the people. 1598 Barret Theor. Warres iii. ii. 45 There be many petie officers vsed amongst vs. 1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. ii. ii. 112. |
2. spec. An officer in the navy corresponding in rank to a non-commissioned officer in the army.
| 1760 C. Johnston Chrysal (1822) III. 14, I need not describe to you the situation of a petit officer. 1768 J. Byron Narr. Patagonia (ed. 2) 28 It was very hard upon us petty officers. 1840 R. H. Dana Bef. Mast. xx. 60 He had been a petty officer on board the British frigate Dublin. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Petty officer, a divisional seaman of the first class, ranking with a sergeant or corporal. |