Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
athwartships [uh-thwawrt-ships] ExamplesWord Origin adverb Nautical.
- from one side of a ship to the other.
Origin of athwartships First recorded in 1710–20; athwart + ship1 + -s1 Examples from the Web for athwartships Historical Examples of athwartships
Athwart—Across, as athwartships, meaning that a thing is lying across the vessel.
Thomas Fleming Day
For a boat to take along, I made shift to cut a castaway dory in two athwartships, boarding up the end where it was cut.
Sailing Alone Around The World
Joshua Slocum
A torrent poured down the athwartships alleyway, and nearly swept me from my feet.
H. M. Tomlinson
At all times except when whales were alongside, this bench was securely lashed athwartships against the rear of the Try-works.
Herman Melville
British Dictionary definitions for athwartships athwartships adverb
- nautical from one side to the other of a vessel at right angles to the keel