Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Midshipman"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Midshipman \Mid"ship`man\, n.; pl. {Midshipmen}.
1.
(a) Formerly, a kind of naval cadet, in a ship of war,
whose business was to carry orders, messages, reports,
etc., between the officers of the quarter-deck and
those of the forecastle, and render other services as
required.
(b) In the English naval service, the second rank attained
by a combatant officer after a term of service as
naval cadet. Having served three and a half years in
this rank, and passed an examination, he is eligible
to promotion to the rank of lieutenant.
(c) In the United States navy, the lowest grade of
officers in line of promotion, being graduates of the
Naval Academy awaiting promotion to the rank of
ensign.
2. (Zo["o]l.) An American marine fish of the genus
{Porichthys}, allied to the toadfish.
{Cadet midshipman}, formerly a title distinguishing a cadet
line officer from a cadet engineer at the U. S. Naval
Academy. See under {Cadet}.
{Cadet midshipman}, formerly, a naval cadet who had served
his time, passed his examinations, and was awaiting
promotion; -- now called, in the United States,
{midshipman}; in England, {sublieutenant}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Middy \Mid"dy\, n.; pl. {Middies}.
A colloquial abbreviation of {midshipman}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
midshipman
n : a temporary rank held by young naval officers in training
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