ice anchor

noun

a large, hooklike device for setting in ice to anchor a vessel or to provide a hold for a hawser in warping it along.

First recorded in 1765–75

Allen had lowered the sail of the Spider and had tossed out a sharp-pronged ice anchor.

It condescendingly offered to do tugboat service for the "Advance," and invited its captain to throw aboard an ice-anchor.

It came sailing swiftly by, and into it they planted an ice-anchor attached to a tow line.

Shortly before noon further progress was barred by heavy pack, and we put an ice-anchor on the floe and banked the fires.

Then began a heart-breaking task of warping through the pack with ice-anchor, cable and winch.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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