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larboard - 6 dictionary results

lar⋅board

  [lahr-bawrd, -bohrd; Naut. lahr-berd] Nautical
Use larboard in a Sentence
–noun
1. (formerly) port 2 (def. 1).
–adjective
2. (formerly) port 2 (defs. 2, 3).
Origin:
1300–50; ME laddeborde (perh. lit., loading side; see lade, board ); later larborde (by analogy with starboard)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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lar·board   (lär'bərd)   
n.  See port2.
adj.  On the port side.

[Alteration (influenced by starboard) of Middle English laddebord : perhaps laden, to load; see load + borde, side of a ship; see starboard.]
port 2   (pôrt, pōrt)   
n.  The left-hand side of a ship or aircraft facing forward. Also called larboard.
adj.  Of, relating to, or on the port.
tr. & intr.v.   port·ed, port·ing, ports
To turn (a craft) or make a shift to the port side: port the helm; ported sharply to avoid a shoal.

[Probably from port side, from port1.]
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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Larboard

Lar"board`\, n. [Lar- is of uncertain origin, possibly the same as lower, i. e., humbler in rank, because the starboard side is considered by mariners as higher in rank; cf. D. laag low, akin to E. low. See Board, n., 8.] (Naut.) The left-hand side of a ship to one on board facing toward the bow; port; -- opposed to starboard.

Note: Larboard is a nearly obsolete term, having been superseded by port to avoid liability of confusion with starboard, owing to similarity of sound.

Larboard

Lar"board`\, a. On or pertaining to the left-hand side of a vessel; port; as, the larboard quarter.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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larboard 
"left-hand side of a ship" (to a person on board and facing the bow), c.1300, ladde-borde, perhaps lit. "the loading side," if this was the side on which goods were loaded onto a ship, from laden "to load" + bord "ship's side." Altered 16c. on influence of starboard, then largely replaced by port (1). to avoid confusion of similar-sounding words. The O.E. term was bæcboard, lit. "back board" (see starboard).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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