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Glite Dictionary
carrick bitt

carrick bitt

9.9
One of two strong posts on a ship deck that hold the anchor chain
  • noun
  • /ˈkɛrɪk bɪt/
  • Archaic
translation icon : bitt carrick
  • The shipbuilder explained how the carrick bitts must be reinforced to support the new windlass.

Examples

  • The heavy anchor chain was wound securely around the carrick bitt during the storm.

  • Two carrick bitts were installed on the deck.

  • During restoration, the crew found the original carrick bitt still intact after a century at sea.

  • The sailor secured the rope to the carrick bitt.

  • During restoration, the crew found the original carrick bitt still intact after a century at sea.

  • The heavy anchor chain was wound securely around the carrick bitt during the storm.

  • The shipbuilder explained how the carrick bitts must be reinforced to support the new windlass.

Synonyms

riding bitt
vscarrick bitt
  • Specialized
9.9

A large strong post on a ship's deck that holds the anchor cable

supports the windlass that moves the cable rather than only fixing it
bitt
vscarrick bitt
  • Specialized
9.9

A strong post on a ship or pier that you wrap a rope around to hold the boat

is used to hold the windlass support role rather than general mooring use

Surface Forms

carrick bitt singular
carrick bitts plural

Morphology

carrick + bitt

This is a specialized nautical term: while 'bitt' (a stout vertical post) is transparent, 'carrick' is not a familiar lexical item (marked as not found) and the combined sense refers to a specific type/pair of posts supporting a windlass. Because one constituent is obscure and the combination is technical and language-specific rather than compositionally predictable, a B1 learner who knows the basic words would still not reliably derive the intended meaning.

Etymology

Carrick bitt comes from old ship work: it named a pair of strong posts on the deck where sailors wound the anchor chain. Wrapping the chain around the bitt kept the anchor fast and helped the 'windlass', a machine that lifts the anchor, so the term now means the posts that support a windlass or hold the anchor.