a-port, advb. phr.
(əˈpɔət)
[a prep.1 + port.]
On or towards the port side of the ship, or the left side when looking forward. to put the helm a-port (= ‘to port the helm’): to move the rudder to the starboard side, making the ship turn to the right.
| 1627 Smith Seaman's Gram. v. 24 The haling them is called the Topping the Lifts, as top a starboard, or top a port. 1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Wks. iii. 39/2 Making them both to beare vp, the one aport, and the other a starbord. 1795 Nelson in Nicolas Disp. II. 13 Braced up our after-yards, put the helm a-port, and stood after her again. |