Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
taut hand en · NOUN
Meanings
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(dated) An officer who is severe in discipline.
"[…]I'm no Tartar nor a slavedriver. But I am a taut hand, and a taut ship where every man jack works clearly for me, our ship, his mates, and our Fleet is a happy ship.[…]"
1993, Dewey Lambdin, The Gun Ketch:
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(dated) Strict discipline.
"Twas the first time I did that part of the duty in command, and I felt, in the circumstances, I was in for carrying it out with a taut hand."
1879, George Cupples, The Green Hand: Adventures of a Naval Lieutenant:
Forms