Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun nautical On a wooden mast, a circular disc (or sometimes a rectangle) of wood near or at the top of the mast, usually with holes or sheaves to reeve signal halyards; also a temporary or emergency place for a lookout. "Main" refers to the mainmast, whereas a truck on another mast may be called (on the mizzenmast, for example) "mizzen-truck".

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word main-truck.

Examples

  • Is not the main-truck higher than the kelson is low?

    Moby Dick; or the Whale 2002

  • "It's one of our cruisers, boys," whispered Captain Harding, whose keen eyes had distinguished a pendant flying from the main-truck of the new-comer.

    Picked up at Sea The Gold Miners of Minturne Creek

  • "I tell you what, you shall slush that mast down from the main-truck to the bitts; and look sharp about it, too, or I'll make you!"

    The White Squall A Story of the Sargasso Sea J. [Illustrator] Schonberg

  • The decks themselves were as white as holystones, sand, and much elbow grease could make them, and, with her white hull with its encircling green riband and cherry-red waterline, her yellow lower masts and funnel, and a brand-new pendant flying from the main-truck and large White Ensign flapping lazily from its staff on the poop, the

    Stand By! Naval Sketches and Stories 1925

  • He came aboard with a black coat, and his papers right, and money enough in his box to buy the thing right up from keel to main-truck.

    The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1902

  • He came aboard with a black coat, and his papers right, and money enough in his box to buy the thing right up from keel to main-truck.

    The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1902

  • He came aboard with a black coat, and his papers right, and money enough in his box to buy the thing right up from keel to main-truck.

    The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1902

  • He came aboard with a black coat, and his papers right, and money enough in his box to buy the thing right up from keel to main-truck.

    The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1902

  • Salters was not an amiable person (He esteemed it his business to keep the boys in order); and the first time Harvey, in fear and trembling, on a still day, managed to shin up to the main-truck

    Captains Courageous Rudyard Kipling 1900

  • "He hung my boots on the main-truck, and he ain't over an 'above respectful to such as knows more'n he do, specially about farmin'; but he were mostly misled by Dan."

    Captains Courageous Rudyard Kipling 1900

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.