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Abaft: meaning, definitions and examples

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abaft

 

[ əˈbæft ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

nautical term

The term 'abaft' refers to a position located toward the stern of a ship. It is used in maritime contexts to indicate that something is situated behind a certain point on the vessel. In navigation, it can also imply direction, describing events or objects moving toward the rear of a marine craft. This word is often used in conjunction with other directions, such as 'starboard' and 'port', to give more precise locations on a vessel.

Synonyms

sternward, toward the back

Examples of usage

  • The life raft was stored abaft the main mast.
  • The captain gave orders for the crew to move abaft.
  • A seagull flew abaft the ship.

Translations

Translations of the word "abaft" in other languages:

🇵🇹 a popa

🇮🇳 पीछे

🇩🇪 achter

🇮🇩 di belakang

🇺🇦 за кормою

🇵🇱 za rufą

🇯🇵 船の後ろ

🇫🇷 à l'arrière

🇪🇸 a popa

🇹🇷 gemi arkasında

🇰🇷 배의 뒤쪽

🇸🇦 خلف السفينة

🇨🇿 za zádí

🇸🇰 za zádou

🇨🇳 在船后

🇸🇮 za krmo

🇮🇸 aftan

🇰🇿 кеме артында

🇬🇪 მეზღვაურის უკან

🇦🇿 gəminin arxasında

🇲🇽 a popa

Word origin

The word 'abaft' has its origins in Middle English, derived from the Old English 'a' meaning 'on' and 'baft' meaning 'the back'. Its usage can be traced back to maritime terminology, where directional terms were vital for navigation and communication on ships. Historically, as sailing vessels became central to trade and exploration, precise language was needed to describe positions on board. Therefore, 'abaft' was adopted into nautical jargon to clarify communication between crew members. It has survived into modern English as a specialized term, primarily used in contexts related to ships and navigation. Despite its limited use outside naval circles, 'abaft' remains an indispensable term for sailors and maritime enthusiasts.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,744, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.