trierarch

American  

[trahy-uh-rahrk] / ˈtraɪ əˌrɑrk /

noun

Greek History.

1. the commander of a trireme.

2. (in Athens) a citizen who, singly, or jointly with other citizens, was required to fit out a trireme for the public service.

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trierarch British  

/ ˈtraɪəˌrɑːk /

noun

1. a citizen responsible for fitting out a state trireme, esp in Athens

2. the captain of a trireme

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Etymology

Origin of trierarch

1650–60; < Greek triḗrarchos , equivalent to triḗr ( ēs ) trireme + archós commander. See tri-, -arch

Example Sentences

On the deck above the hearty shouts of Ameinias the trierarch, and chanting of the seamen told that on the Nausicaä at least there would be no slackness in the fight.

From A Victor of Salamis by Davis, William Stearns

A trierarch who thought the burden too heavy for him could appeal against it by laying a branch on the altar in the Pnyx, or by taking sanctuary in the Temple of Artemis at Munychia.

From The Public Orations of Demosthenes, volume 2 by Pickard, Arthur Wallace

Trī′erarchy, the office of trierarch: the system of requisitioning vessels from wealthy citizens.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

And will you still deny me equal voice and vote with this noble trierarch from Siphinos with his one, or with his comrade from Melos with his twain?”

From A Victor of Salamis by Davis, William Stearns

The nominal, and sometimes actual, commander of the trireme is her trierarch; but obviously a cultivated old gentleman like Eustathius is no man to manage the ship in a sea fight.

From A Day in Old Athens; a Picture of Athenian Life by Davis, William Stearns