able seaman: Meaning and Definition of

a'ble sea'man

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. Also calledan experienced deck-department seaman qualified to perform routine sea duties.
  2. (in the British Navy and on British and U.S. merchant ships) a rating between ordinary seaman and leading seaman or boatswain's mate. Abbr.: A.B., AB
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.