oarhole

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]

Alternative forms

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From Middle English ore hol, equivalent to oar +‎ hole.

Noun

[edit]

oarhole (plural oarholes)

  1. (nautical) a slot or opening in the side of a galley or ship through which an oar is fitted
    • 2016, William R. Short, Icelanders in the Viking Age:
      Oarholes were sealed when not in use by wooden covers that rotated in place to keep out water. A slot cut into the oarhole allowed the blade of the oar to pass through the oarhole so oars could be deployed entirely inboard of the ship.

See also

[edit]