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Glite Dictionary
'tween decks

'tween decks

9.9
In the space between a ship's decks used for cargo or people
  • idiom
  • Specialized
translation icon : entre cubiertas
  • Cargo was stored 'tween decks to maximize space on the ship.

Examples

  • The sailors slept 'tween decks during the long voyage.

  • Passengers often found the air stuffy when living 'tween decks for weeks at sea.

  • The crew stored supplies 'tween decks.

  • There is a lot of noise 'tween decks during storms.

  • Cargo was stored 'tween decks to maximize space on the ship.

  • Passengers often found the air stuffy when living 'tween decks for weeks at sea.

  • The sailors slept 'tween decks during the long voyage.

Synonyms

below decks
vs'tween decks
4 4.6

In the space under the main deck of a ship

is narrower, meaning the middle space rather than all lower areas
between decks
vs'tween decks
  • Specialized
1 8.6

In the space below the main deck and above the lower deck on a ship

indicates being in that space or moving into it

Surface Forms

'tween decks positive

Morphology

'tween + deck

The form ' 'tween decks' is a colloquial contraction of 'between decks' and the locative meaning is directly and compositionally derived from the spatial preposition 'between' plus 'deck'. Even if the clipped spelling ' 'tween' is unfamiliar, a B1 learner who knows 'between' (or can infer it) and 'deck' will easily understand the intended spatial meaning.

Etymology

'Tween decks is a sailor's short form made from 'tween (short for 'between') and decks, painting the image of a small, crowded space under one deck and above the next on a ship. So it means 'in the space between the decks of a ship'.