Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun “The upper part of the stern of a vessel” (Totten); “the uppermost part, frame, or rail of a ship behind, over the poop” (Phillips, 1706).
  • noun Same as taffrail (which is now the usual form in this sense).

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

  • noun A carved panel
  • noun nautical The flat upper part of a ship's stern above the transom, often decorated with carvings
  • noun nautical The taffrail

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Dutch tafereel, a panel, picture, diminutive of tafel, table. Dutch from the Latin tabula, table.

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Examples

Comments

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  • (n) : a carved panel; the flat upper part of a ship's stern above the transom, often decorated with carvings

    "Yet we should oftener look over the tafferel of our craft, like curious passengers, and not make the voyage like stupid sailors picking oakum." (H.D. Thoreau, Walden).

    April 30, 2008

  • Oh, that's an interesting spelling! I've always seen it taffrail. :)

    April 30, 2008

  • oakum if you gottum

    April 30, 2008

  • This word was used in the "Master And Commander" movie.

    July 24, 2012