Klingon word: ra'wI' Part of speech: noun Definition: commander _______________________________________________ ra'wI' ghaH qImlaq'e' K'mlak is a commander. KGT mIv je DaS tuQ ra'wI' The commander is in full dress uniform. [idiom] (lit. "The commander wears helmet and boot.") KGT mIv DaS je tuQ ra'wI' The commander is wearing a helmet and a boot. KGT juDev 'ej Dujvam ra'wI' DagheS 'e' vItlhob I ask you to lead us as commander of this ship. I request that you lead us and that you assume the duties of commander of this ship. KGT (KGT 52-53): There is, in addition, a frequently misunderstood word, {ra'wI'}, which is correctly, though misleadingly, translated as "commander", as is {la'}. The confusion comes about because {ra'wI'} literally means "one who commands", from the verb {ra'} (command, order) plus the suffix {-wI'} (one who does [something]). Thus, a {ra'wI'} is, literally, someone who gives an order. The word is generally used to refer to any officer of the rank of {Sogh} [lieutenant] or higher. It may be used as either a description ({ra'wI' ghaH qImlaq'e'} ["K'mlak is a commander"] or a title ({qImlaq ra'wI'} ["Commander K'mlak"]), though in all cases it is understood as not reflecting the precise rank of the individual. Except for formal occasions, it is safe to use the title {ra'wI'}. In fact, if one is not sure of an officer's rank, it is probably the safest route to take. [This parallels the anglophone practice of referring to the commanding officer ("the C.O.") of any ship as "captain" regardless of formal rank.] (KGT 95-96): If some kind of {HIq} (liquor) is added to the coffee, the drink is called {ra'taj}. It is said that the drink was originally nicknamed {ra'wI' taj} ("commander's knife", suggestive of its potency), and that the name was shortened over time. SEE: ra'wI' lupwI' taxi (n) (TNK) -- Voragh Ca'Non Master of the Klingons