steerageway en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈstiɹɪd͡ʒˌweɪ/ (US)
- (US) audio
- /ˈstɪə.ɹɪd͡ʒˌweɪ/ (Received-Pronunciation)
Etymology
From steerage + way.
Meanings
-
(countable, uncountable) The minimum speed of a ship, below which it does not answer the helm and cannot be steered.
The latter made one tremendous spurt, then gave up in despair and hauled in his oars. French Pete let go the main-sheet, lost steerageway as he rounded up alongside the motionless skiff, and dragged Joe out.
1902, Jack London, “chapter XII”, in The Cruise of the Dazzler:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| steerageways | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| steerage-way | alternative | lexicographic | |
| steerage way | alternative | lexicographic |
Translations (3)
sv styrfart (minimum speed of a ship) · pl prędkość sterowna (minimum speed of a ship) · he הֵעָנוּת לַהֶגֶה (minimum speed of a ship)