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a wide berth

 - 1 dictionary result
berth   (bûrth)   
n.  
  1. Sufficient space for a ship to maneuver; sea room: kept a clear berth of the reefs.

  2. A space for a ship to dock or anchor: a steamship moored to its berth at the pier.

    1. Employment on a ship: sought an officer's berth in the merchant marine.

    2. A job: a comfortable berth as head of the department.

    3. A built-in bed or bunk, as on a ship or a train.

    4. A place to sleep or stay; accommodations: found a berth in a nearby hotel.

    1. A built-in bed or bunk, as on a ship or a train.

    2. A place to sleep or stay; accommodations: found a berth in a nearby hotel.

  3. A space where a vehicle can be parked, as for loading.

v.   berthed, berth·ing, berths

v.   tr.
  1. To bring (a ship) to a berth.

  2. To provide with a berth.

v.   intr.
To come to a berth; dock.

[Middle English birth; perhaps akin to beren, to bear; see bear1.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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