Astern is a term used in the maritime industry to describe a direction that is behind a vessel. It is a nautical term that is used to describe the location of an object or a ship in relation to the direction of its movement. In this article, we will discuss the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences related to astern.
Definitions
Astern is defined as the direction behind a ship or object. It is the opposite of the direction in which the ship or object is moving. It is a term used to describe the position of a ship in relation to its movement.
Origin
The term astern has its roots in the Old English language. It is derived from the word “a-,” which means “on” or “in,” and “stern,” which refers to the back of a ship. The word was first used in the 16th century and has been used in the maritime industry ever since.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of astern is consistent across different dictionaries. It is defined as the direction behind a ship or object. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines astern as “in or behind the stern of a ship.” The Oxford dictionary defines it as “behind a ship or an aircraft.” The Cambridge dictionary defines it as “behind a ship or boat.”
Associations
Astern is associated with the maritime industry, ships, and boats. It is a term used by sailors and navigators to describe the position of a ship in relation to its movement. It is also associated with the direction of movement of an object or a ship.
Synonyms
The synonyms of astern include behind, rearward, aft, and sternward. These terms are used to describe the direction behind an object or a ship.
Antonyms
The antonyms of astern include ahead, forward, and fore. These terms are used to describe the direction in which an object or a ship is moving.
The same root words
The same root words as astern include stern, which refers to the back of a ship, and a-, which means “on” or “in.” These words are used in other nautical terms such as sternpost, sternway, and asternpost.
Example Sentences
- The ship was moving astern towards the dock.
- The captain ordered the crew to move astern to avoid a collision.
- The boat was drifting astern in the current.
- The ship’s engines were reversed, and it began to move astern.
- The sailor looked astern to see the approaching storm.