companion

Etymology

From Middle English companion, from Old French compaignon (“companion”) (modern French compagnon), from Late Latin compāniōn- (nominative singular compāniō, whence French copain), from com- + pānis (literally, with + bread), a word first attested in the Frankish Lex Salica as a calque of a Germanic word, probably Frankish *galaibo, *gahlaibō (“messmate”, literally “with-bread”), from Proto-Germanic *gahlaibô. Compare also Old High German galeipo (“messmate”) and Gothic 𐌲𐌰𐌷𐌻𐌰𐌹𐌱𐌰 (gahlaiba, “messmate”); and, for the semantics, compare Old Armenian ընկեր (ənker, “friend”, literally “messmate”). More at co-, loaf. Displaced native Old English ġefēra (literally “fellow traveler”). Doublet of company. Compare mate.

noun

1. A friend, acquaintance, or partner; someone with whom one spends time or accompanies
   His dog has been his trusted companion for the last five years.
   The krogan have had a love-hate relationship with varren for millennia, alternately fighting them for territory and embracing them as treasured companions. 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Varren Codex entry
   For the most part, Hefner's female companions all adhered to the same mold: twentysomething, bosomy and blonde. "Well, I guess I know what I like," he once said when asked about his preferences. September 27 2017, David Browne, “Hugh Hefner, 'Playboy' Founder, Dead at 91”, in Rolling Stone
2. (dated) A person employed to accompany or travel with another.
3. (nautical) The framework on the quarterdeck of a sailing ship through which daylight entered the cabins below.
4. (nautical) The covering of a hatchway on an upper deck which leads to the companionway; the stairs themselves.
5. (topology) A knot in whose neighborhood another, specified knot meets every meridian disk.
6. (figurative) A thing or phenomenon that is closely associated with another thing, phenomenon, or person.
7. (attributive) An appended source of media or information, designed to be used in conjunction with and to enhance the main material.
   The companion guide gives an in-depth analysis of this particular translation.
8. (astronomy) A celestial object that is associated with another.
9. A knight of the lowest rank in certain orders.
   a companion of the Bath
10. (obsolete, derogatory) A fellow; a rogue.

verb

1. (obsolete) To be a companion to; to attend on; to accompany.
   we had better turn south quickly and compare the elements of education which formed , and of creation which companioned , Salvator . 1865, John Ruskin, Precious Thoughts
2. (obsolete) To qualify as a companion; to make equal.