hawser
English edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English hauser, haucer, from Anglo-Norman haucer, from Vulgar Latin *altiāre (“to raise”), derived from Latin altus (“high”). Altered in English by mistaken association with hawse and perhaps haul. Compare French aussière, haussière.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
hawser (plural hawsers)
- (nautical) A cable or heavy rope used to tow or moor a ship.
- 1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, “The Ebb-tide Runs”, in Treasure Island, London, Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC, part V (My Sea Adventure), page 185:
- The hawser was as taut as a bowstring, and the current so strong she pulled upon her anchor. All around the hull, in the blackness, the rippling current bubbled and chattered like a little mountain stream.
- 1888–1891, Herman Melville, “[Billy Budd, Foretopman.] Chapter [HTTP://GUTENBERG.NET.AU/EBOOKS06/0608511H.HTML CHAPTER 26].”, in Billy Budd and Other Stories, London: John Lehmann, published 1951, →OCLC:
- A hatchet to my hawser? all adrift to go?
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
cable
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