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Careening Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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careening

[kəˈrɪnɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

moving swiftly

Careening refers to the act of swerving or lurching rapidly from side to side, often used in reference to vehicles or vessels that are moving out of control. It can also imply a sense of recklessness in the movement.

Synonyms

lurching, swerving, veering.

Examples of usage

  • The car was careening down the hill.
  • The boat was careening over the waves.
  • He was careening around the corner.
  • The cyclist was careening past the pedestrians.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In classic literature, careening often symbolizes chaos or tumult, reflecting a character's emotional state.
  • Famous authors like Jack Kerouac used careening to depict the reckless energy of the Jazz Age.
  • The act of careening can represent a journey where one loses control but also gains freedom.

Pop Culture

  • Action movies frequently depict cars careening through streets, emphasizing high stakes and adrenaline.
  • Video games often include mechanics for careening vehicles, adding excitement and unpredictability to gameplay.
  • In cartoons, characters often careen wildly causing humorous accidents, highlighting a whimsical form of chaos.

Psychology

  • The concept of careening can be connected to feelings of losing control or letting go of order in one's life.
  • Psychologically, people may careen through emotions in a way that reflects instability or urgency during crises.
  • Careening can be seen as a metaphor for making rash decisions based on overwhelming feelings.

Science

  • In physics, careening can relate to the concepts of momentum and angular momentum during rapid movement.
  • Scientists analyze careening movements in robotics, helping to create machines that navigate unexpectedly like a human might.
  • The study of aerodynamics includes observations of how objects can careen through the air, impacting design in transportation.

Origin of 'careening'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'careening' comes from the 18th century and was used to describe a ship tilting to one side to clean its hull.
  • It originates from the French word 'cariner', which means to tilt, especially in naval contexts.
  • Before it described cars or objects moving rapidly, it was purely a nautical term used by sailors.

The word 'careening' has its roots in the mid-16th century, originating from the word 'careen', which comes from the French term 'cariner', meaning 'to put a ship on its side'. It was originally used to describe the process of tilting a ship to clean its hull or repair it. Over time, the term expanded in its meaning to encompass any sort of wild or uncontrolled motion, often associated with vehicles or objects swerving unexpectedly. The evolution of the term reflects changes in nautical practices and the increasing influence of nautical terminology in everyday language, particularly in describing chaotic movements in various contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,727 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.