The English language is full of words that are rarely used in everyday conversations. One of these words is “athwartwise.” It is a word that is not commonly used, but it has a unique meaning that is worth exploring. In this article, we will delve into the definition and meaning of athwartwise.
Definitions
Athwartwise is an adverb that refers to something that is placed or positioned diagonally or transversely across a ship or vessel. It is used to describe the direction of something that is placed across the width of a ship or vessel.
Origin
The word “athwartwise” has its roots in the Middle English language. It is a combination of two words, “athwart” and “wise.” “Athwart” means across, and “wise” means in a particular way or manner. The combination of these two words resulted in the word “athwartwise.”
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of athwartwise in different dictionaries is consistent with its definition. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines athwartwise as “across a ship or vessel.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines athwartwise as “transversely or diagonally across a ship or vessel.”
Associations
Athwartwise is a word that is commonly used in nautical terms. It is associated with ships, vessels, and boats. It is used to describe the position of objects or people on a ship or vessel.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for athwartwise, including diagonally, crosswise, transversely, obliquely, and slantingly.
Antonyms
The antonyms of athwartwise are lengthwise, longitudinally, and vertically.
The same root words
The word “athwart” is the root word of athwartwise. It means across or in the opposite direction. Other words that have the same root word as athwart are athwartships, athwart, and athwartship.
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences that use the word athwartwise:
- The cargo was stacked athwartwise on the deck of the ship.
- The sailors were lined up athwartwise on the ship’s deck.
- The waves were crashing athwartwise against the ship’s hull.
- The sail was hoisted athwartwise to catch the wind.
- The anchor was dropped athwartwise to keep the ship in place.
In conclusion, athwartwise is a word that is commonly used in nautical terms. It refers to something that is placed diagonally or transversely across a ship or vessel. Although it is not commonly used in everyday conversations, it is a word that is worth exploring for its unique meaning and origin.