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Glite Dictionary
straight fairlead

straight fairlead

8.4
A part that guides an anchor rope in a straight path on a ship
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : guía recta
  • The crew installed a straight fairlead to ensure the anchor line ran smoothly off the deck.

Examples

  • A straight fairlead is preferable when the anchor line must be kept from chafing against the railing.

  • During maintenance, the captain examined the straight fairlead for signs of wear.

  • The boat is equipped with a straight fairlead.

  • Do you know how to install a straight fairlead?

  • The crew installed a straight fairlead to ensure the anchor line ran smoothly off the deck.

  • During maintenance, the captain examined the straight fairlead for signs of wear.

  • A straight fairlead is preferable when the anchor line must be kept from chafing against the railing.

Synonyms

fairlead
vsstraight fairlead
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A ring or pulley on a ship that guides a rope and prevents it rubbing

is narrower and made to guide anchor lines along a straight path

Surface Forms

straight fairlead singular
straight fairleads plural

Morphology

straight + fairlead

This is a literal adjective + noun composition: 'straight' describes the path produced by a 'fairlead', so the meaning 'a fairlead that guides lines in a straight path' can be directly derived from the parts. The adjective–noun descriptive pattern is common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the phrase.

Etymology

The noun straight fairlead names a simple part on a ship: straight shows it keeps the rope going straight and fairlead is the guide the rope runs through. Picture a smooth ring or channel that stops an anchor line from rubbing on the railing; because it 'guides' the line and stops wear, sailors call that piece a straight fairlead.