Gangplank: meaning, definitions and examples

Nautical History

• The term 'gangplank' dates back to the 16th century when ships used wooden planks to facilitate boarding.
• In maritime tradition, walking the plank is a fictional punishment where someone is forced to walk off the ship into the sea.
• Gangplanks can vary in design; some are solid while others are retractable and adjustable for different ship heights.

Architecture

• Gangplanks are similar to bridges, designed to provide safe passage across spaces, often with a slight incline.
• Modern designs incorporate materials like aluminum or fiberglass for strength and lightness, making them easier to handle.
• In architecture, gangplanks can be seen in outdoor settings, connecting platforms or observatories in parks or nature reserves.

Pop Culture

• Pirates are often depicted in movies and books using gangplanks, adding drama and excitement to their adventures.
• Video games sometimes include gangplanks as a gameplay element, where players must navigate precarious walkways.
• The phrase 'walking the plank' has entered common language, often used humorously to refer to taking risks or facing challenges.

Engineering

• New technologies have led to the development of mechanically operated gangplanks that can extend and retract automatically.
• Some gangplanks are designed with safety features, like rails and non-slip surfaces, to prevent accidents, especially in busy ports.
• In the realm of urban design, similar structures are employed to connect buildings or cross bodies of water in cities.

Social Context

• Historically, the presence of a gangplank signifies the border between life at sea and the stability of land for sailors.
• The imagery of a gangplank has been used metaphorically in discussions about transitions in life, like moving from one phase to another.
• In performances and literature, the gangplank can symbolize a critical decision point or a leap of faith into the unknown.

This word's position of #31,316 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 31313 garnering
• 31314 occlude
• 31315 explicitness
• 31316 gangplank
• 31317 beefy
• 31318 opine
• 31319 relaid
• ...