crew

crew

crew¹ [kro͞o]

n.

[ME creue, increase, growth < OFr < pp. of creistre, to grow < L crescere: see CRESCENT]

1. a group of people associating or classed together; company, set, gang, etc.

2. a group of people working together, usually under the direction of a foreman or leader [a road crew, gun crew]

3.

a) all of a ship's personnel, usually excepting the officers

b) on a small sailboat, the person or persons who assist the helmsman, as by handling the sails

4. AIRCREW: see also GROUND CREW

5.

a) a rowing team for a racing shell, usually of two, four, six, or eight oarsmen with or without a coxswain

b) the sport of rowing racing shells

6. Archaic an organized band of armed men

vt., vi.

to serve (on) as the crew or a crew member

crewman

n.

pl. crewmen

crew² [kro͞o]

vi.

alt. pt. of CROW² (sense 1)