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catamaran

 - 3 dictionary results

cat⋅a⋅ma⋅ran

[kat-uh-muh-ran]
–noun
1. a vessel, usually propelled by sail, formed of two hulls or floats held side by side by a frame above them. Compare trimaran.
2. a float or sailing raft formed of a number of logs lashed together, used in certain parts of India, South America, etc.
3. a quarrelsome person, esp. a woman.
4. Canadian Dialect. a wooden sled.

Origin:
1690–1700; < Tamil kaṭṭa-maram tied wood
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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cat·a·ma·ran   (kāt'ə-mə-rān')   
n.  
  1. A boat with two parallel hulls or floats, especially a light sailboat with a mast mounted on a transverse frame joining the hulls.

  2. A raft of logs or floats lashed together and propelled by paddles or sails.


[Tamil kaṭṭumaram : kaṭṭu, to tie + maram, wood, log.]
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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Word Origin & History

catamaran 
1673, from Tamil kattu-maram "tied wood," from kattu "tie" + maram "wood, tree."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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