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gangway

 - 4 dictionary results

gang⋅way

[n. gang-wey; interj. gang-wey]
–noun
1. a passageway, esp. a narrow walkway.
2. Nautical.
a. an opening in the railing or bulwark of a ship, as that into which a gangplank fits.
b. gangplank.
c. an area of the weather deck of a ship, between the side and a deckhouse.
d. accommodation ladder.
3. Railroads.
a. the space between the cab of a steam locomotive and its tender.
b. the side entrance of a diesel or electric locomotive.
4. British.
a. an aisle in a theater, restaurant, etc.
b. an aisle in the House of Commons separating the more influential members of the political parties from the younger, less influential members.
c. a runway in a theater.
5. a temporary path of planks, as at a building site.
6. Mining. a main passage or level.
7. Also called logway. the ramp up which logs are moved into a sawmill.
–interjection
8. clear the way! out of the way!

Origin:
1680–90; gang 1 + way; not continuous with OE gangweg


gangwayed, adjective

gang⋅plank

[gang-plangk]
–noun
a flat plank or small, movable, bridgelike structure for use by persons boarding or leaving a ship at a pier.
Also called brow, gangway.


Origin:
1840–50, Americanism; gang 1 + plank
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To gangway
gang·plank   (gāng'plāngk')   
n.  A board or ramp used as a removable footway between a ship and a pier. Also called gangway.

[From gang1, way (obsolete and dialectal).]
gang·way   (gāng'wā')   
n.  
  1. Nautical

    1. A passage along either side of a ship's upper deck.

    2. See gangplank.

    3. An opening in the bulwark of a ship through which passengers may board.

    4. The aisle that divides the front and rear seating sections of the House of Commons.

    5. An aisle between seating sections, as in a theater.

  2. A narrow passageway, as of boards laid on the ground.

  3. The main level of a mine.

  4. Chiefly British

    1. The aisle that divides the front and rear seating sections of the House of Commons.

    2. An aisle between seating sections, as in a theater.

interj.  Used to clear a passage through a crowded area.

[From gang1, way, passage (obsolete and dialectal).]
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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