matelot

sailor

noun mah-tuh-LOH Rare

Origin: Dutch matroos (sailor), via Middle French

Also means

seaman

Usage Note

Matelot is masculine — un matelot. It is a common term for an ordinary sailor or naval rating, below the rank of officer. The word entered French from Dutch maritime trade vocabulary.

Examples

"Le matelot répare les filets sur le pont."

Natural Translation

The sailor repairs the nets on the deck.

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