Chapter 120 - The Deck Toward the End of the First Night Watch — Vocabulary

Vocabulary Words from Chapter 120 - The Deck Toward the End of the First Night Watch

strike (verb)

In nautical usage, to lower or take down sails, yards, or other rigging, especially in response to bad weather or as a sign of surrender.

lash (verb)

To fasten or secure tightly with rope or cord; in seamanship, to tie down equipment or rigging to prevent it from shifting.

lee (noun/adjective)

The side sheltered from the wind; the downwind side of a vessel, opposite the windward side.

stranded (adjective)

In nautical usage, having one or more strands of a rope broken or frayed, weakening its strength.

sky-sail (noun)

The highest sail on a square-rigged ship, set above the royal sail on an extension of the mast called a sky-sail pole.

sway (verb)

In seamanship, to hoist or raise something aloft, especially masts, yards, or spars.

inboard (adverb)

Toward the center of a vessel; to bring something from an outboard or external position to a secured position inside the ship.

trucks (noun)

The wooden caps or disc-shaped fittings at the very top of a ship's masts, often containing small sheaves for signal halyards.

cloud-scud (noun)

Low, ragged clouds driven rapidly by strong winds during a storm; also called scud clouds.

smack (noun)

A small single-masted sailing vessel used for coastal trading or fishing, typically modest and unambitious in its voyages.

hooroosh (noun/exclamation)

An exclamation imitating the roaring or rushing sound of wind; a variant of "hurrah" used to describe commotion or tumult.

colic (noun)

Severe spasmodic pain in the abdomen caused by gas or obstruction in the intestines; here used figuratively to belittle the storm's noise.

malady (noun)

A disease or ailment; any unwholesome or disordered condition.

sublime (adjective)

Of outstanding spiritual, intellectual, or moral worth; inspiring awe or wonder, especially in reference to the grandeur of nature.