Aft is a term that is commonly used in the maritime industry. It is a nautical term that refers to the rear or the back part of a ship. The term is also used in aviation to refer to the back part of an aircraft. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of aft, its origin, and its use in different dictionaries. We will also look at the associations, synonyms, and antonyms of the term.
Definitions
Aft is a term that has different definitions depending on the context in which it is used. In the maritime industry, aft refers to the rear or the back part of a ship. It is the opposite of the term “forward.” In aviation, aft refers to the back part of an aircraft, which is behind the cockpit.
Origin
The origin of the term aft can be traced back to the Old English word “æftan,” which means “behind.” The term was later adopted by the maritime industry to refer to the back part of a ship. It was also adopted by the aviation industry to refer to the back part of an aircraft.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of aft in different dictionaries is consistent with its definition in the maritime and aviation industries. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, aft means “toward or at the stern of a ship or the back of an aircraft.” Merriam-Webster defines aft as “toward or at the stern of a ship or the tail of an aircraft.”
Associations
Aft is associated with the back part of a ship or an aircraft. It is also associated with the direction opposite to the forward direction. In the maritime industry, aft is associated with the stern of a ship, while in aviation, it is associated with the tail of an aircraft.
Synonyms
The synonyms of aft include “rear,” “back,” “stern,” “tail,” and “astern.” These terms are often used interchangeably with aft in the maritime and aviation industries.
Antonyms
The antonyms of aft include “forward,” “front,” and “bow.” These terms are used to describe the opposite direction to aft in the maritime and aviation industries.
The same root words
The same root words as aft include “after,” “afterward,” and “aftermath.” These words are all derived from the Old English word “æftan.”
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences that use the term aft:
- The captain ordered the crew to move aft to balance the ship.
- The passengers were instructed to fasten their seatbelts and remain seated until the aircraft reached cruising altitude, and the seatbelt sign was turned off aft.
- The ship’s engines were located aft, near the stern.
- The turbulence was felt more strongly in the aft section of the aircraft.
- The crew members were stationed at various points on the ship, including the bow, the stern, and the aft.