xebec

xe·bec

[zee-bek]
noun
a small, three-masted vessel of the Mediterranean, formerly much used by corsairs, now employed to some extent in commerce.
Also, chebeck, zebec, zebeck.


Origin:
1750–60; alteration of earlier chebec < French < Catalan xabec or Spanish xabeque (now jabeque), both < Arabic shabbāk

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
xebec, zebec or zebeck (ˈziːbɛk) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
a small three-masted Mediterranean vessel with both square and lateen sails, formerly used by Algerian pirates and later used for commerce
 
[C18: earlier chebec from French, ultimately from Arabic shabbāk; present spelling influenced by Catalan xabec, Spanish xabeque (now jabeque)]
 
zebec, zebec or zebeck
 
n
 
[C18: earlier chebec from French, ultimately from Arabic shabbāk; present spelling influenced by Catalan xabec, Spanish xabeque (now jabeque)]
 
zebeck, zebec or zebeck
 
n
 
[C18: earlier chebec from French, ultimately from Arabic shabbāk; present spelling influenced by Catalan xabec, Spanish xabeque (now jabeque)]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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00:10
Xebec is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

xebec
"small three-masted vessel," 1756, from Fr. chébec, from It. sciabecco, ult. from Ar. shabbak "a small warship." Altered by infl. of cognate Sp. xabeque, which shows the old way of representing the Sp. sound now spelled -j-.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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