Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A device, usually a U-shaped or circular metal hoop on a swivel in the gunwale, used to hold an oar in place and as a fulcrum in rowing.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A rowlock.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun (Naut.) The notch, fork, or other device on the gunwale of a boat, in which the oar rests, and that holds the oar in place and acts as a fulcrum for rowing. Certain oarlocks are designed for use with oars having attached swivels, which insert into the oarlock and provide a firm pivot. Same as
rowlock {1}.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A device attached to the
gunwale of arowboat to hold theoars in place while rowing.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a holder attached to the gunwale of a boat that holds the oar in place and acts as a fulcrum for rowing
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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I put my oars in the oarlocks and closed the oarlock gates to hold them in place, taking my time and tightening the nut securely.
Rowing the ATLANTIC Roz Savage 2009
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I put my oars in the oarlocks and closed the oarlock gates to hold them in place, taking my time and tightening the nut securely.
Rowing the ATLANTIC Roz Savage 2009
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All sailed Venetian craft had oarlock; ALL boat craft had oar locks, so this doesn't mean its not a sailed boat.
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Just a glimpse of water through the oarlock was enough to warn him where to dip the oar to avoid waves and eddies.
Burning Tower Larry Niven 2005
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Just a glimpse of water through the oarlock was enough to warn him where to dip the oar to avoid waves and eddies.
Burning Tower Larry Niven 2005
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An open firebox lit the fishing boat's simple lines: the low gunwales, single oarlock, seining pole at the stern.
December 6 Smith, Martin Cruz 2002
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The brush of the next passing serpent snatched the oar from Jek's grip and tore the oarlock loose.
Ship Of Destiny Hobb, Robin 2000
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One started to slip through the oarlock into the water.
The Mad Ship Hobb, Robin 1999
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Reise ran alongside and managed to roll over the gunwale without snagging himself on the oarlock; he even kept hold of the oars, for a wonder.
Lord of the Isles 1997
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I scrambled to get the oar back in its oarlock and both of them in the water before we hit the bridge, banging my knuckles together again in the process, and bringing us up against the bank.
To Say Nothing of the Dog Willis, Connie 1997
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