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Webster 1913 Edition

Xebec

Xe′bec

(zē′bĕk)
,
Noun.
[Sp.
jabegue
, formerly spelt
xabeque
, or Pg.
xabeco
; both from Turk.
sumbeki
a kind of Asiatic ship; cf. Per.
sumbuk
, Ar.
sumbūk
a small ship.]
(Naut.)
A small three-masted vessel, with projecting bow and stern and convex decks, used in the Mediterranean for transporting merchandise, etc. It carries large square sails, or lateen sails, or both. Xebecs were formerly armed and used by corsairs.

Webster 1828 Edition

Xebec

XEBEC

,
Noun.
A small three masted vessel, used in the Mediterranean sea. With a fair wind, in good weather, it carries two large square sails; when close hauled, it carried large lateen sails.

Definition 2024

xebec

xebec

English

Alternative forms

Noun

xebec ‎(plural xebecs)

  1. A small, three-masted Mediterranean transport ship
    • 1963, Thomas Pynchon, V:
      Winter. The green xebec whose figurehead was Astarte, goddess of sexual love, tacked slowly into the Grand Harbour.

Translations

Etymology

From French chébec, from Spanish xabeque (modern jabeque) or Catalan xabec, ultimately from Arabic شَبَّاك ‎(šabbāk, “small warship, fishing boat”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈziːbɛk/

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