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Becalming: meaning, definitions and examples

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becalming

 

[ bɪˈkɑːlmɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

sailing condition

Becalming refers to the condition in which a sailing vessel becomes motionless due to a lack of wind. This situation often leaves the ship stranded and unable to navigate effectively. It can occur suddenly when the wind dies down or when the sailing route is devoid of breeze. Sailors need to be prepared for such occasions, as it can lead to delays in journey times and potentially dangerous situations at sea.

Synonyms

halt, stagnation, standstill

Examples of usage

  • The ship was becalmed for hours in the still waters.
  • Sailors often dread the thought of being becalmed during their journey.
  • After days of sailing, we found ourselves becalmed without any wind.

Translations

Translations of the word "becalming" in other languages:

🇵🇹 acalmar

🇮🇳 शांत करना

🇩🇪 beruhigen

🇮🇩 menenangkan

🇺🇦 заспокоювати

🇵🇱 uspokajać

🇯🇵 落ち着かせる

🇫🇷 apaiser

🇪🇸 calmar

🇹🇷 sakinleştirmek

🇰🇷 진정시키다

🇸🇦 تهدئة

🇨🇿 uklidnit

🇸🇰 upokojiť

🇨🇳 平静下来

🇸🇮 pomiriti

🇮🇸 róa

🇰🇿 тыныштандыру

🇬🇪 მშვიდობა

🇦🇿 sakitləşdirmək

🇲🇽 calmar

Etymology

The term 'becalm' originates from the combination of 'be' and 'calm', both of which are derived from Old English. The verb 'calm' can be traced back to the Latin word 'calmus', meaning 'tranquil' or 'quiet'. 'Becalm' came into use in the early modern English period, primarily in nautical contexts, as sailors needed a specific term to describe the frustrating state of being without wind. Over time, 'becalming' evolved as a derived form and gained popularity in maritime language, reflecting the critical impact of weather on sea travel. The phenomenon has historically posed challenges to sailors and was often emphasized in literature and shipping logs since the inability to sail directly impacted trade and journeys.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,998, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.