One, the boarder, walks up the gangplank and then thumps the person standing at the top of the gangway. This poor chap is then in no state to stop the boarder from boarding the ship.board
to attack (a ship) by forcing one's way aboard
boarder
a person who boards a ship, esp one who forces his way aboard in an attack
Collins dictionary
Forcing one's way aboard -- how do I understand this?
Thank you
Understand it those ways only in cases where physical force (usually armed force) is used to get aboard a ship -- as, for instance, was done by the pirates in the waters off Somalia.board
to attack (a ship) by forcing one's way aboard
boarder
a person who boards a ship, esp one who forces his way aboard in an attack
Collins dictionary
Forcing one's way aboard -- how do I understand this?
Thank you
I don't think we call cruise passengers "boarders", MuttQuad. I have heard the verbs used "board/embark, disembark" when giving instructions but I think it would be very rare to find a case where boarder meant anything other than someone who was unwelcome on board.Otherwise, the boarding of a ship by a boarder has no connotation of force or violence; it's just what ordinary people do when they are going for a cruise, for example.