brig

Etymology 1

Abbreviated from brigantine, from Italian brigantino; in sense “jail”, from the use of such ships as prisons.

noun

  1. (nautical) A two-masted vessel, square-rigged on both foremast and mainmast
  2. (US) A jail or guardhouse, especially in a naval military prison or jail on a ship, navy base, or (in fiction) spacecraft.

Etymology 2

From Scots brig, from Old Norse bryggja, from Proto-Germanic *brugjǭ. Doublet of bridge.

noun

  1. (Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northern England) Bridge.
    Now do thy speedy utmost, Meg, / And win the key-stane of the brig; 1790, Robert Burns, Tam o' Shanter

Etymology 3

Clipping of brigadier

noun

  1. Brigadier.

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