Browse dictionary
Showing 1-20 of 251 results in 251 entries
1. aback, adv. View full entry OE
...In a backward direction; to or towards the rear; back. Also fig. and in extended use: from the scene of action, away, to a distance; to a former place or...
2. † abackstays, adv. View full entry 1630
...In line with the direction of the wind; with sails positioned in this way, thus presenting no surface to the wind....
3. abaft, adv. and prep. View full entry a1400
...Chiefly Naut. To or towards the rear; backward....
4. abeam, adv. View full entry 1789
...On a line at right angles to a ship's course; opposite the middle of a vessel. Later also of an aircraft. Cf. beam17....
5. ablatively, adv. View full entry 1653
...Grammar. In the ablative case; as an ablative....
6. able, adj., adv., and n. View full entry a1382
...In predicative use, with for (in early use also with to). Capable of, having sufficient strength or power for; ready for, fit to cope with. Now chiefly ...
7. aboard, adv. and prep. View full entry a1393
...Alongside, on one side (of a ship or a shore). Freq. modified by hard, close. See also board on boardboard12d....
8. about, adv., prep.1, adj., and int. View full entry eOE
...In rotation or revolution; round in a circular course. Now rare except in fig. use with verbs....
9. abox, adv. View full entry 1801
...Of the head-yards of a sailing vessel: in a position with only the headsails laid aback....
10. abreast, adv. and prep. View full entry a1450
...Side by side and facing or moving in the same direction. Cf. breast7....
11. abroad, adv., prep., and n. View full entry c1300
...Over a broad or wide area; widely, broadly; †so as to be fully open or outspread (obs.). In later use more commonly with reference to non-physical things, as news, information,...
12. a-cock-bill, adv. View full entry 1578
...Of an anchor: with the bills pointing upwards, as when it hangs from the cathead ready for dropping. Also of the yards of a vessel: at an angle with the deck....
13. across, adv., prep., and adj. View full entry a1250
...In the form of a cross, crosswise; crossing each other, crossed. Now rare....
14. admirable, adj., n., and adv. View full entry c1450
...Exciting wonder, to be marvelled at; wonderful, remarkable, astonishing, surprising. Now rare....
15. adraw, adv. (and adj.) View full entry 1685
...So as to swell out or draw with the wind (see draw57). Also as : (of a sail) swelling out with the wind, drawing....
16. adrift, adv. and adj. View full entry 1578
...In or into a drifting condition; so as to drift without being moored, steered, propelled, etc....
17. afloat, adj. and adv. View full entry OE
...Floating on the sea or on any stretch of water (or other liquid) of sufficient depth to support a body; not sinking, not aground; at sea, as opposed to being in dock...
18. afoul, adv. and adj. View full entry 1807
...In or into a tangled or otherwise undesirable state. Freq. to run afoul....
19. aft, adv. and adj. View full entry eOE
...Behind, in the rear; from behind. Obs....
20. afterward, adv., prep., adj., conj., and n. View full entry OE
...Behind in place or position; in the rear; further back. Obs....
