argosy
/ˈɑːɡəsi
/noun (plural argosies) literary
A large merchant ship, originally one from Ragusa (now Dubrovnik) or Venice.We gather this in the opening moments of the play when we hear that his ‘argosies’ (merchant ships), behaving ‘like signors and rich burghers’, are out on the sea....
- Mehta's camera has meticulously scoured and documented the remnants of those many argosies that have arrived unheralded on Indian shores to carry away the loot of its once unparalleled tropical wealth.
- Portia further gives Antonio news that three of his argosies have arrived safely, and gives Lorenzo the deed by which Shylock has made him his heir.
Origin
Late 16th century: apparently from Italian Ragusea (nave) '(vessel) of Ragusa'.