Sailor
/ˈseɪlər/noun
A person who navigates or works on a ship.
Did you know?The term 'sailor' has roots that connect to ancient words for 'sea' and 'to traverse', hinting at an almost mystical relationship with the ocean's depths.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sāwēl
“to traverse or navigate”
Latin
Latin
salire
“to leap or jump, a metaphor for crossing waters”
Old French
Old French
sailleur
“one who sails, a navigator”
Middle English
Middle English
sailour
“a person who works on a ship or vessel”
Modern English
English
sailor
“a mariner or seaman, particularly one who works on a ship”