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Glite Dictionary
waist anchor

waist anchor

9.9
A spare heavy object used to hold a ship during an emergency
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : ancla de emergencia
  • The ship's crew quickly deployed the waist anchor when the main anchor failed.

Examples

  • During the storm, the captain ordered the use of the waist anchor to stabilize the ship.

  • Every vessel should carry a waist anchor for unexpected emergencies at sea.

  • The crew secured the waist anchor for safety.

  • During the storm, the captain ordered the waist anchor to be deployed.

  • Every vessel should carry a waist anchor for unexpected emergencies at sea.

  • The ship's crew quickly deployed the waist anchor when the main anchor failed.

  • During the storm, the captain ordered the use of the waist anchor to stabilize the ship.

Synonyms

anchor
vswaist anchor
95 2.7

A heavy metal object attached to a rope or chain that holds a ship in place

is a specific spare kept onboard for emergencies rather than the general device
sheet anchor
vswaist anchor
  • Jargon
9.3

A spare anchor kept on a ship for use in an emergency

has identical meaning but is an alternative name for the same item

Surface Forms

waist anchor singular
waist anchors plural

Morphology

waist + anchor

The term relies on nautical jargon: 'waist' here refers to the ship's midsection rather than the human body, and the specific idea of a spare/emergency anchor is not signalled by the constituents. A B1 learner who knows only the basic meanings of 'waist' (body area) and 'anchor' (mooring device) would not be able to derive the specialised meaning, so the expression is opaque.

Etymology

Waist anchor comes from where it was kept on a ship: the waist, the middle part of the ship. It was an extra anchor kept ready for 'emergencies', so the name means a spare anchor used when needed.