caïque

or ca·ique

[ kah-eek ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a single-masted sailing vessel used on the eastern Mediterranean Sea, having a sprit mainsail, a square topsail, and two or more other sails.
a long, narrow rowboat used on the Bosporus.

caïque

/ kaɪˈiːk /

a long narrow light rowing skiff used on the Bosporus
a sailing vessel of the E Mediterranean with a sprit mainsail, square topsail, and two or more jibs or other sails

Origin of caïque¹

1615–25; < French < Italian caicco < Turkish kayιk; replacing caik < Turkish kayιk

Origin of caïque¹

C17: from French, from Italian caicco, from Turkish kayik

The caique is a curiously shaped canoe-sort of a craft, and you have to get in carefully and sit still.

Those who ride in them do not sit on benches, but in the bottom of the caique, on a Persian carpet.

The refreshing coolness of the sea breeze induced us to hire a caique, and we coasted along towards the Seraglio Point.

He accompanied a party of Americans to Buyukdere, where they took a caique, and rowed alongside the Russian flag-ship.

The caique is long and very narrow, and sharp at both ends—pointed, in fact.

April 22, 2024steadfast

[sted-fast]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse