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midshipmen


  1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Midshipman  \Mid"ship`man\,  n.;  pl  {Midshipmen}. 
  1. 
  a  Formerly,  a  kind  of  naval  cadet,  in  a  ship  of  war, 
  whose  business  was  to  carry  orders  messages,  reports, 
  etc.,  between  the  officers  of  the  quarter-deck  and 
  those  of  the  forecastle,  and  render  other  services  as 
  required. 
  b  In  the  English  naval  service,  the  second  rank  attained 
  by  a  combatant  officer  after  a  term  of  service  as 
  naval  cadet.  Having  served  three  and  a  half  years  in 
  this  rank,  and  passed  an  examination,  he  is  eligible 
  to  promotion  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant. 
  c  In  the  United  States  navy,  the  lowest  grade  of 
  officers  in  line  of  promotion,  being  graduates  of  the 
  Naval  Academy  awaiting  promotion  to  the  rank  of 
  ensign. 
 
  2.  (Zo["o]l.)  An  American  marine  fish  of  the  genus 
  {Porichthys},  allied  to  the  toadfish. 
 
  {Cadet  midshipman},  formerly  a  title  distinguishing  a  cadet 
  line  officer  from  a  cadet  engineer  at  the  U.  S.  Naval 
  Academy.  See  under  {Cadet}. 
 
  {Cadet  midshipman},  formerly,  a  naval  cadet  who  had  served 
  his  time,  passed  his  examinations,  and  was  awaiting 
  promotion;  --  now  called  in  the  United  States, 
  {midshipman};  in  England,  {sublieutenant}. 




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