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Keeling: meaning, definitions and examples

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keeling

 

[ ˈkiːlɪŋ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

nautical term

Keeling refers to the act of a ship sinking or leaning due to water intake. This term is most often used in the context when discussing ships in distress at sea. When a ship is keeling, it can indicate an emergency situation, and crews must act quickly to stabilize the vessel. The need to manage a keeling ship can involve various maneuvers and techniques to regain stability or prevent capsizing.

Synonyms

leaning, lists, tilting

Examples of usage

  • The ship began keeling as water flooded the hull.
  • Emergency crews worked swiftly to prevent the vessel from keeling further.
  • When the storm struck, the boat started keeling dangerously.
Context #2 | Noun

nautical term

Keeling can also refer to the position or angle at which a ship leans or tilts. This position is crucial for navigators and ship crews to assess during a voyage. A ship in a state of keeling may not only affect its stability but can also influence its speed and course through water, making this an important concept in maritime operations.

Synonyms

slope, slouch, tilt

Examples of usage

  • The keeling of the vessel was alarming to the crew.
  • We need to calculate the keeling angle after the waves hit.
  • The captain assessed the ship's keeling before making adjustments.

Translations

Translations of the word "keeling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 keeling

🇮🇳 कीलिंग

🇩🇪 Keeling

🇮🇩 keeling

🇺🇦 кілінг

🇵🇱 keeling

🇯🇵 キーニング

🇫🇷 keeling

🇪🇸 keeling

🇹🇷 keeling

🇰🇷 키링

🇸🇦 كيلينغ

🇨🇿 keeling

🇸🇰 keeling

🇨🇳 基林

🇸🇮 keeling

🇮🇸 keeling

🇰🇿 килинг

🇬🇪 კილინგი

🇦🇿 keeling

🇲🇽 keeling

Word origin

The term 'keeling' has its roots in the Old English word 'cēol', which means ship or vessel. Originating as a nautical term, it has evolved over centuries as mariners encountered various sea conditions that affected ship performance. The word 'keel' itself refers to the structural element that provides a ship with stability. Over time, the related verb 'keeling' emerged to denote the action of listing or tilting to one side, which is a serious concern in maritime transport. Throughout history, acts of keeling have resulted in significant maritime disasters, thus embedding the term within nautical vocabulary. As modern ships have evolved, so too have the techniques and understanding of managing a vessel's keeling to ensure safety at sea.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,730, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.