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Glite Dictionary
alee

alee

9.9
On the side sheltered from the wind on a boat
  • adverb
  • /əˈliː/
  • Jargon
translation icon : a sotavento
  • The sailors shouted, 'Turn the boat alee to avoid the strong winds.'

Examples

  • We moved alee to find shelter from the approaching storm.

  • The captain ordered the crew to shift the sails alee for a smoother ride.

  • Helm alee.

    The Adventures of Mark Twain (1985)

Synonyms

leeward
vsalee
  • Specialized
2 6.9

The side away from the wind that is protected from it

is used for being on or moving toward that sheltered side
to leeward
vsalee
  • Specialized
1 8.0

On the side sheltered from the wind

is the same meaning but as a single nautical adverb

Antonyms

windward
3 7.0

The side from which the wind blows

Surface Forms

alee positive

Morphology

alee = lee (semi-transparent) = a + lee

The connection to 'lee' is real, but the old adverbial prefix 'a-' meaning 'on or toward' is not productive for most learners.

Etymology

Alee comes from two simple sea parts: a- meaning 'on' and lee meaning 'sheltered side' of a ship. So to be alee is to be 'on' the side safe from the wind, which is why sailors say it when they move toward shelter.