steerman Now rare.
(ˈstɪəmən)
Forms: 1–2 stéorman, 3 steorman, 5 ster man, stereman, 6 Sc. steirman, 7 steereman, 7– steerman.
[f. steer n.2 + man n. Cf. Du. stuurman, MLG. stûreman, MHG. stiurman (mod.G. steuermann), ON. st{yacu}rimað-r, (Sw. styrman, Da. styrmand). The Teut. word was adopted in OF. as esturman, estrumant.]
A steersman.
| c 1000 ælfric Hom. II. 560 Hera ðone steorman ac na swa-ðeah ærðan ðe he becume ᵹesundful to þære hyðe. c 1205 Lay. 28436 And nom alle þa scipen..and þa steormen alle to þan scipen neodde. c 1470 Henry Wallace ix. 121 Bathe schip maistir, and the ster man also, In the holl, but baid, he gert thaim go. 1586 Reg. Privy Council Scot. IV. 79 The foirsaidis personis furnissand steirmen thairto thameselffis. 1663 Gerbier Counsel d 4 b, My Steerman found the Ebb and Flood all along the Coast of America. 1725 Pope Odyss. xiv. 287 Safe through the level seas we sweep our way; The steer-man governs, and the ships obey. 1892 Stevenson & L. Osborne Wrecker xii, Suppose the steerman's eye to have wandered. |
| fig. c 1460 Towneley Myst. iii. 427 Help, god, in this nede! As thou art stere-man..best, as I rede. 1591 Sylvester Du Bartas i. i. 117 Their Star the Bible, Steer-man th' holy Ghost. 1638 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 206 No sooner was old Abbas by bold death struck from the helme of Persia; and young Soffy his Grand-sonne made the royall Stear-man, but [etc.]. |