ˈstill water
[f. still a. + water n.]
1. = slack-water 1.
| 1626 Capt. Smith Accid. Yng. Seamen 17 It flows quarter floud, high water, or a still water. 1791 Smeaton Edystone L. §3 The change of direction or time of Still Water. 1808 Forsyth Beauties Scot. V. 33 According as it is new made, half run, or approaching to still water. |
2. (See quots.)
| 1832 W. D. Williamson Hist. Maine I. 66 The Metawamkeag..has frequent falls and intervening still-waters. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Still Water..is also used for water under the lee of headlands, or where there is neither tide nor current. 1896 Trans. Roy. Soc. Canada II. ii. 210 Stillwater... A smooth place in a stream which is usually rough. |
3. attrib.
| 1758 Descr. Thames 187 The Tench is a Still-water Fish, and delights in Ponds more than Rivers. 1834 Oxf. Univ. Mag. I. 307 Artificial canals or rather still-water navigation. 1889 Welch Text Bk. Naval Archit. iii. 60 If a ship happens to fall in with waves having a period twice that of her own natural or still-water period, she will infallibly capsize after the passage of a few waves. |