wharf

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[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Middle English < Old English hwearf (heap, embankment, wharf); related to Old English hweorfan (to turn), Old Saxon hwarf, Old High German hwarb (a turn), hwerban (to turn), Old Norse hvarf (circle), Greek καρπός (wrist).

The fact that wharves often have warehouses next to them for storing offloaded goods has led to the popular etymology that ‘wharf’ is an acronym of 'warehouse at river front'; however this is incorrect.

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
wharf

Plural
wharves or wharfs

wharf (plural wharves or wharfs)

  1. A man-made landing place jutting out to sea or by a river; mole, pier, or quay

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[edit] See also