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Matrose

sailor, ordinary seaman

noun ma-TRO-ze Rare
People & Society Professions

Origin: from French matelot

Usage Note

Matrose is the basic rank of an enlisted sailor on a merchant or naval ship. In the German Navy (Deutsche Marine) it is the lowest enlisted rank. Feminine: Matrosin. Colloquially the word evokes the striped uniform (Matrosenanzug), a traditional children's fashion item.

Examples

"Der Matrose wusch das Deck und kontrollierte die Ladeluke."

Natural Translation

The sailor washed the deck and checked the cargo hatch.

Literal Translation

The sailor washed the deck and checked the cargo-hatch.

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