Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- Dwelling in the same tent; living as comrades; hence, intimate; familiar.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adjective Living or messing together; familiar; in companionship.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective obsolete Living in the same
tent . - adjective rare Living in close
proximity ;intimate ,familiar .
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
From Latin contubernālis, from contubernium ("companionship in a tent"), from con- + taberna ("a hut, shed, tent"). More at tavern.
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Examples
Sorry, no example sentences found.
chained_bear commented on the word contubernal
"'Another misery of human life,' remarked Stephen to the morning darkness, 'is having a contubernal that snores like ten.'
"'I was not snoring,' said Jack. 'I was wide awake. What is a contubernal?'
"'You are a contubernal.'
"'And you are another.'"
--Patrick O'Brian, The Nutmeg of Consolation, 36
A fantastic 25-cent-word for roommate.
March 6, 2008
hernesheir commented on the word contubernal
(adj): living or messing together; familiar; in companionship. From L. contubernalis meaning "fantastic 25-cent word for tent companion"
Humble folk ben Christes friends: they ben contubernial with the Lord, thy King. -- Chaucer.
December 31, 2008
hernesheir commented on the word contubernal
A former contubernal companion used to call me "The Word Bird".
December 31, 2008