double-banked, a. orig. Naut.
(-bæŋkt)
[parasynth. f. double bank + -ed.]
a. Having pairs of opposite oars pulled by rowers on the same bench; or, having two rowers at each oar. (Said of the oars, or of the boat; also adverbially.) b. double-banked frigate: a frigate carrying guns on two decks; also called a double-banker.
| 1697 W. Dampier Voy. I. xv. 429 They row double-banked; that is, two Men sitting on one Bench, but one rowing on one side, the other on the other side of the Boat. 1769 Falconer Dict. Marine (1780) s.v., The oars are also said to be double-banked when two men row upon every single one. 1842 P. Parley's Ann. III. 300 A large double-banked frigate. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. s.v. Double-banked, 60-gun frigates which carry guns along the gangway..are usually styled double-bankers. |
c. transf.
| 1929 F. C. Bowen Sea Slang 40 Double banked, sleeping two in a cabin. 1964 Times Rev. Industry Feb. 57/3 The first ‘double-banked’ motor the firm has made..(mounting two sets of five cylinders each radially round a common drive shaft). 1968 Economist 17 Aug. 53/1 A double-banked defence network of anti-missiles. |