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Webster 1913 Edition

Bitts

Bitts

,
Noun.
pl.
[Cf. F.
bitte
, Icel.
biti
, a beam. [GREEK]87.]
(Naut.)
A frame of two strong timbers fixed perpendicularly in the fore part of a ship, on which to fasten the cables as the ship rides at anchor, or in warping. Other bitts are used for belaying (belaying bitts), for sustaining the windlass (carrick bitts, winch bitts, or windlass bitts), to hold the pawls of the windlass (pawl bitts) etc.

Webster 1828 Edition

Bitts

BITTS

,
Noun.
plu.
[from the same root as bite.] A frame of two strong pieces of timber fixed perpendicularly in the fore part of a ship, on which to fasten the cables,when she rides at anchor. There are also top-sail sheet bitts, paul-bitts, carrick-bitts, &c.

BITTS

,
Verb.
T.
To put round the bitts; as, to bitt the cable, in order to fasten it or to slacken it out gradually, which is called veering away.

Definition 2024

bitts

bitts

English

Mooring bitts on board SS Shieldhall, a preserved steamship.

Noun

bitts

  1. (nautical, plural only) A frame composed of two strong oak timbers (bitt-heads) fixed vertically in the fore part of a ship, bolted to the deck beams to which are secured the cables when the ship rides to anchor

Derived terms

References

  • An etymological dictionary of the English language, p. 65

Luxembourgish

Verb

bitts

  1. second-person singular present indicative of bidden

Etymology

See reference.

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