gunwale

gunwale
gunwale mid-15c., gonne walle, from GUN (Cf. gun) + wale "plank" (see WALE (Cf. wale)). Originally a platform on the deck of a ship to support the mounted guns.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Gunwale — Gun wale, n. [Gun + wale. So named because the upper guns were pointed from it.] (Naut.) The upper edge of a vessel s or boat s side; the uppermost wale of a ship (not including the bulwarks); or that piece of timber which reaches on either side… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • gunwale — meaning ‘the upper edge of a ship s side’, is pronounced gun ǝl …   Modern English usage

  • gunwale — (also gunnel) ► NOUN ▪ the upper edge or planking of the side of a boat. ● to the gunwales Cf. ↑to the gunwales ORIGIN from GUN(Cf. ↑gun) + WALE(Cf. ↑wale) (b …   English terms dictionary

  • gunwale — [gun′əl] n. [LME gonne walle (see GUN & WALE1): first applied to bulwarks supporting a ship s guns] the upper edge of the side of a ship or boat …   English World dictionary

  • Gunwale — The gunwale (pronEng|ˈɡʌnəl gunnel to rhyme with tunnel ) is a nautical term describing the top edge of the side of a boat. Wale is the same word as the skin injury, a weal , which, too, forms a ridge. Originally the gunwale was the Gun ridge on… …   Wikipedia

  • gunwale — UK [ˈɡʌn(ə)l] / US noun [countable] Word forms gunwale : singular gunwale plural gunwales the upper edge of the side of a boat or ship • full to the gunwales …   English dictionary

  • gunwale to — phrasal see gunwale down …   Useful english dictionary

  • gunwale down — phrasal or gunwale to : tipping or sinking until the gunwale is on a level with the water …   Useful english dictionary

  • gunwale — also gunnel noun Etymology: Middle English gonne wale, from gonne gun + 1wale; from its former use as a support for guns Date: 15th century the upper edge of a ship s or boat s side …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • gunwale — /gun l/, n. Naut. 1. the upper edge of the side or bulwark of a vessel. 2. the sheer strake of a wooden vessel; the uppermost strake beneath the plank sheer. Also, gunnel. [1325 75; ME. See GUN1, WALE1; a plank so called because guns were set… …   Universalium

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