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forecastle

forecastle

1 9.9
The front part of a ship where the crew live and sleep
  • noun
  • /ˈfoʊrkæsl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : castillo de proa
  • Throughout the series, Lomax emphasized historical and contemporary work songs, dedicating episodes to such themes as railroad, teamster, lumberjack, "forecastle," and "Negro work" songs.
  • forecastle deck
  • ship's forecastle
  • down in the forecastle

Examples

  • Forecastle men forward!

  • Hold that noise for the forecastle.

  • You forbade me to enter the forecastle.

  • We found him screaming like a looney on the forecastle, threatening to throw himself off.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • A U-shaped arch with several computer panels visible appears on the forecastle.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Victory's upper deck or weather deck was actually several decks, the forecastle, waist quarter deck and poop deck.

  • Still, the forecastles of the ship-posubans do not resemble any other asafo shrines.

    Academic text (2007)
  • On Oct. 2, the Sailors donned the pink caps and mustered on the forecastle to present a $2,500 check to Laura Farmer, a representative of Susan G.

    Blog text (29)
  • Both Sea Ray missiles guided directly onto the forecastle of the Baoji, and although the warheads were small and probably would not have done much damage if they had hit the hull or decks, the missiles plowed into the bridge and combat control center, killing the captain, twelve senior crewmen, and decimating its fighting capability.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The crew gathered in the forecastle, preparing their meals before the long voyage.

Synonyms

fo'c'sle
vsforecastle
  • Archaic
1 9.9

The front part of a ship where the crew sleep

is the formal standard term rather than the contracted spelling

How Forward

bow
123 4.9
forebridge
  • Specialized
9.5
forecastle
  • Specialized
1 9.9
midship
  • Specialized
6.2
stern
85 5.8

Surface Forms

forecastle singular
forecastles plural

Morphology

forecastle = fore + castle (semi-transparent) = fore + castle

The parts 'fore' and 'castle' are recognizable, but the specialized nautical meaning ('castle' as a raised structure at a ship's bow and the modern sense 'forward part/crew quarters') is not fully predictable for an average learner.

Etymology

Forecastle comes from the parts fore- 'front' and castle 'fort', because the front of a ship was once like a small fort where sailors slept and kept watch. So, forecastle means the forward part of a ship, often where the crew live.