oarlock
(ˈɔəlɒk)
Forms: 1 árloc, 5 orlok, 7 orelock, 9 oar-lock.
[OE. árloc, f. ár oar + loc lock, closure, enclosure. Cf. also rowlock.]
A notch or fork in which the oar of a boat plays; a rowlock. Also attrib. in oarlock seat.
| a 1100 Ags. Voc. in Wr.-Wülcker 288/6 Columbaria, arlocu. a 1419 Liber Albus (Rolls) I. 235 Le bate qe nage deinz orlok,..paiera i denier. Ibid. 237 Une petite nief ove orlokes. Ibid. 239 De qualibet navi in qua navigatur infra orlokes. Ibid. 375 Si navigat in horlok, unum denarium. 1657 Howell Londinop. 85 Euery little Ship with orelocks [paid] a peny. 1874 J. W. Long Amer. Wild-Fowl Shooting 85 Both may row, if two sets of oarlock-seats are provided. 1880 N. H. Bishop Sneak-Box 218, I heard in the distance the sound of oars moving in the oar-locks. |