Acclamator Etymology

[Robert Treder]

Usually I'm all-knowing when it comes to words, but I can't figure out whether or not acclamator is a real word, so I decided I'd ask youse guys.

None of my dictionaries show 'acclamator' or 'acclamate,' though they obviously do show 'acclimate,' which is a common word, but not the one the ship refers to, judging by the deliberately different spelling.

To be honest, I wasn't able to check all of my reference books, since some of them are in storage for the duration of the remodeling going on here. Included among the books in storage are some dictionaries of British English, so if it's a spelling difference of that nature, those might clear up the mystery.

The internet was only able to find 'acclamator' in Star Wars references, and 'acclamate' in foreign or mispelled sites.

So if any of you know of the origin or meaning of this term, please speak up.

I had just assumed that it was a word, and my hunch was that it was related to 'aggregate,' at least in meaning, if not in actual etymology. That meaning would make some sense for a transport ship.
But just a few moments ago, I realized that I had never seen the word anywhere else, so I looked it up, only to find...nothing.

[Lord Edam]

OED says...

_ acclamator. Obs. rare1.
[n. of action, L. in form, f. L. acclama-re (see acclaim), on the analogy of clamator f. clamare.]
One who joins in acclamation; an acclaimer, an applauder.
1651 Evelyn Diary (1827) II. 38 He went almost the whole way with his hat in hand, saluting the ladys & acclamators, who had filled the windows with their beauty and the air with _Vive le Roi.'

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acclamation (___________).
[ad. L. acclamation-em a shouting at or to, n. of action f. acclamare: see acclaim. Cf. Fr. acclamation, also 16th c. in Littré.]
1. The action of acclaiming.
_ a. Calling to, appealing. Obs.
b. Loud or eager expression of assent or approval, as to vote a motion by acclamation. Also, to elect a candidate by (also _with) acclamation: unanimously (or overwhelmingly) and without a ballot; N. Amer. (orig. Canada).
c. Shouting in honour of any one.
2. An act of acclaiming; an exclamation, or phrase addressed to anyone in a loud voice,
_ a. (as in early L.) in expression of dislike;
_ b. (as in later L.) of approbation or applause. Hence
c. Loud applause or approbation however expressed.
d. An election by acclamation: see sense 1 b above. Canada.
_ 3. Rhet. A brief isolated sentence in a discourse, emphasizing what precedes it. Obs.

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acclaiming (_________), ppl. a.
[f. acclaim v. + ing2.]
Loudly approving or applauding.

[Evil Sadistic Bastard]

Acclamator... one who delivers acclamation?
One who delivers acclaim, or praise, in other words.

It could also be a word LucasFilms made up by adapting from the original word, or it is so damn old most modern dictionaries don't carry it.

I can't think of it from the top of my head. I'll try looking too.

[Evil Sadistic Bastard]

Aw shit Lord Edam beat me to it. i coulda sworn there were no replies when I sent my reply.

Good on ya, Edam.

[Lord Edam]

Given the purpose of the ship, it is possible the name is not related to the more common definitions of "acclaim" you can find in any short dictionary, but rather the older "lay claim to" - the acclamator is used when the OR wish to lay claim to a planet, but the inhabitants want to keep it for themselves.

[Evil Sadistic Bastard]

True - the Acclamator is a troop transport. And while gunships may win battles, wars are won by taking land. Which man conquering. Which means SUBJUGATING THE WORTHLESS SONS OF BITCHES AND LEAVING THEM TO DI- Was I trolling? Damn, I've got to cut down on that.

[Alan Bolte]

to elect a candidate by (also _with) acclamation: unanimously (or overwhelmingly) and without a ballot

Reference to Palpy? Not entirely accurate, but makes sense.
I love dual meanings.

[Robert Treder]

Thanks for the replies, especially the OED reference. I took the time today to dig through the storage box (one of those huge dumpster-like things, parked out front), and one of my big old British dictionaries had a similar entry.

Now I can rest.