Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

larboard

 - 4 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.
Cite This Source Link To larboard
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.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

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
Cite This Source
Search another word or see larboard on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way