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Glite Dictionary
oarlock

oarlock

1 7.0
A part on the side of a boat that holds an oar so it can move when you row
  • noun
  • /ˈɔrˌlɑk/
translation icon : gato
  • Pinky slots an oar into the port oarlock, lifts the other oar over Bramble's head, and lowers it into the starboard oarlock.
  • the creak of oarlocks

Examples

  • Too Cabafume fell off helplessly, and with his chest, he hit the iron oarlock.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • God is merciful: I heard the creak of oarlocks and saw water splashing behind me.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • With his chest, he had hit the iron oarlock, and he remained stretched out, with his eyes open.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • Though the oarlocks stick and are rusty.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • She fitted the oarlocks and rowed him to his kibanda.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • He had foul-weather gear, extra oarlocks and tools, and a second pair of oars.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • He adjusted the "buttons," the collars that rest against the outrigger oarlocks, to make sure they were positioned to deliver the maximum power with each stroke.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Pinky slots an oar into the port oarlock, lifts the other oar over Bramble's head, and lowers it into the starboard oarlock.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • I don't remember seeing him get into the boat, but suddenly the pale rectangle of the dock was empty and undisturbed, and the dark bulk of the boat was gone; there was just the steady creak and thump of a loose oarlock bumping against the wood.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • The oarlock securely held the oar in place as we navigated through the calm waters.

Synonyms

pin
vsoarlock
153 1.0

A small metal or plastic object used to attach things to cloth

is the specific boat-side device rather than a general fastening object
peg
vsoarlock
  • UK
1 8.2

A holder on a boat that keeps an oar in place while rowing

is a more general device rather than a small simple fastening
thole
vsoarlock
  • UK
1 9.9

A peg on the side of a boat that holds an oar and lets it turn when rowing

is the broader side-mounted device not limited to a gunwale fitting
rowlock
vsoarlock
  • Specialized
8.8

A small holder fixed to a boat side that keeps an oar in place while you row

is the same device but expressed with a different name
tholepin
vsoarlock
  • UK
9.9

A pin in the side of a boat that holds an oar while you row

is a broader fixed device rather than one small inserted fastener

Surface Forms

oarlock singular
oarlocks plural

Morphology

oarlock = oar + lock (transparent) = oar + lock

The compound is a straightforward combination of 'oar' and 'lock' meaning a device that holds an oar, so the sense is directly derivable.

Etymology

Oarlock comes from the simple parts oar and lock: an oar is the long pole you row with, and a lock is something that 'holds' in place. So an oarlock is the small part on the side of a boat that 'holds' the oar and lets it 'turn' as you row.