SOS

Definition

The conventional Morse code call made by a ship in distress.

Etymology

From the letters represented by the signal, chosen as a sequence that is easy to recall and transmit (· · · — — — · · ·); it is not, as is commonly believed, an abbreviation for "save our souls", "save our ship", or any other phrase.

Example Sentences

• "The crew sent a frantic SOS as they realised the scale of the disaster."
• ""Look at wireless. Look at the S. O. S. call at sea. Is that not a benefit to mankind?""
• "At around 5:30 a.m., crewmembers of a JCG patrol boat received an SOS from the 106,726-ton freighter Anangel Courage. The patrol vessel and a JCG plane found the freighter on the high seas about 67 kilometers away from Uotsuri Island, one of the Senkaku Islands, which are also claimed by China."

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