1. (U. S. Navy)
Defn: An officer who ranks next above a captain; sometimes, by courtesy, the senior captain of a squadron. The rank of commodore corresponds with that of brigadier general in the army.
2. (Brititsh Navy)
Defn: A captain commanding a squadron, or a division of a fleet, or having the temporary rank of rear admiral.
3. A title given courtesy to the senior captain of a line of merchant vessels, and also to the chief officer of a yachting or rowing club.
4. A familiar for the flagchip, or for the principal vessel of a squadron or fleet.
COMMON Com"mon, a. [Compar. Commoner; superl. Commonest.] Etym: [OE. commun, comon, OF. comun, F. commun, fr. L. communis; com- + munis ready to be of service; cf. Skr. mi to make fast, set up, build, Coth. gamains common, G. gemein, and E. mean low, common. Cf. Immunity, Commune, n. & v.]
1. Belonging or relating equally, or similary, to more than one; as, you and I have a common interest in the property. Though life and sense be common to men and brutes. Sir M. Hale.
2. Belonging to or shared by, affecting or serving, all the members of a class, consired together; general; public; as, propertis common to all plants; the common schools; the Book of Common Prayer. Such actions as the common good requereth. Hocker. The common enemy of man. Shak.
3. Often met with; usual; frequent; customary. Grief more than common grief. Shak.