Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Davit
Dav′it
,Noun.
[Cf. F.
davier
forceps, davit, cooper’s instrument, G. david
davit; all probably from the proper name David
.] (Naut.)
(a)
A spar formerly used on board of ships, as a crane to hoist the flukes of the anchor to the top of the bow, without injuring the sides of the ship; – called also the
fish davit
. (b)
pl.
Curved arms of timber or iron, projecting over a ship's side of stern, having tackle to raise or lower a boat, swing it in on deck, rig it out for lowering, etc.; – called also
boat davits
. Totten.
Webster 1828 Edition
Davit
DAV'IT
,Noun.
DAW, v.i. To dawn.
DAW'DLE, v.i. To waste time; to trifle.
DAW'DLER, n. A trifler.
DAWK, v.t. To cut or mark with an incision.
DAWN, v.i.
Definition 2024
davit
davit
See also: დავით
English
Noun
davit (plural davits)
- (nautical) A spar formerly used on board of ships, as a crane to hoist the flukes of the anchor to the top of the bow, without injuring the sides of the ship.
- (nautical, construction) A crane, often working in pairs and usually made of steel, used to lower things over an edge of a long drop off, such as lowering a maintenance trapeze down a building or launching a lifeboat over the side of a ship.
- 1912, Morgan Robertson, The Wreck of the Titan: Or, Futility
- A solid, pyramid-like hummock of ice, left to starboard as the steamer ascended, and which projected close alongside the upper, or boat-deck, as she fell over, had caught, in succession, every pair of davits to starboard, bending and wrenching them, smashing boats, and snapping tackles and gripes, until, as the ship cleared herself, it capped the pile of wreckage strewing the ice in front of, and around it, with the end and broken stanchions of the bridge.
- 1912, Morgan Robertson, The Wreck of the Titan: Or, Futility
Synonyms
- (spar used to hoist the flukes of the anchor): fish davit
Translations
crane to sling a lifeboat, maintenance trapeze etc