Commodity

[Fr. commodité; Lat. commo ditas, from commodus- con, and modus.] That which affords convenience or advantage; any article of commerce; everything movable that is bought or sold. -( pl.) Merchandise; wares: goods; produce of lands and manufactures; as, excisable commodities. Com'modo, an Italian painter, B. at Florence, 1560, where he pa ed the greater part of his life, and D. in 1638. The General Judgment is called his masterpiece. Commodore, n. [It. command a tore; L. Lat. com mend at or-con, and man do . See COMMAND.) ( Naut . ) In the English navy, the officer who commands a squadron or detachment of ships, sent on a particular service. He holds the temporary rank of rear-admiral. It is also a title of courtesy given to the senior captain, when two or more ships of war are cruising in company. The leading ship in a fleet of merchantmen. - In the navy of the United States, an officer who ranks next below rear-admiral.