Main Entry:

²crew

Pronunciation:

\ˈkrü\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English crue, from Middle French, reinforcement, literally, increase, from crue, feminine past participle of croistre to grow, from Latin crescere — more at crescent

Date:

15th century

1archaic : a band or force of armed men2 a: a group of people associated together in a common activity or by common traits or interests b: gang 1b(2)3 a: a company of people working on one job or under one foreman or operating a machine b: the whole company belonging to a ship sometimes including the officers and master ; also : one who assists the skipper of a sailboat c: the persons who have duties on an aircraft in flight d: the rowers and coxswain of a racing shell ; also : rowing

— crew·less \-ləs\ adjective