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argosy

[ahr-guh-see]
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noun, plural ar·go·sies.
  1. a large merchant ship, especially one with a rich cargo.
  2. a fleet of such ships.
  3. an opulent supply.
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Origin of argosy

1570–80; earlier ragusy < Italian (nave) ragusea (ship) of Ragusa
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for argosy

Historical Examples

  • "Even now the galeasse should be setting out if the argosy is to be intercepted," he said.

    The Sea-Hawk

    Raphael Sabatini

  • The Argosy has been so good this year I must have it another; enclosed is $1.75.

  • With much reluctance the Khan consented, and the argosy set forth.

  • This does not mean that I did not care to consider it for The Argosy.

    The Fiction Factory

    John Milton Edwards

  • Edwards called on Mr. White, of The Argosy, and outlined a serial story.

    The Fiction Factory

    John Milton Edwards

British Dictionary definitions for argosy

argosy

noun plural -sies
  1. archaic, or poetic a large abundantly laden merchant ship, or a fleet of such ships
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Word Origin

C16: from Italian Ragusea (nave) (ship) of Ragusa
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for argosy

n.

1570s, from Italian (nave) Ragusea "(vessel) of Ragusa," maritime city on the Dalmatian coast of the Adriatic (modern Dubrovnik in Croatia). Their large merchant ships brought rich Eastern goods to 16c. England. The city name sometimes was Aragouse or Arragosa in 16c. English.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper