Oar \Oar\ ([=o]r), n [AS. [=a]r; akin to Icel. [=a]r, Dan. aare,
Sw. [*a]ra; perh. akin to E. row, v. Cf. Rowlock.]
[1913 Webster]
1. An implement for impelling a boat, being a slender piece
of timber, usually ash or spruce, with a grip or handle at
one end and a broad blade at the other. The part which
rests in the rowlock is called the loom.
[1913 Webster]
Note: An oar is a kind of long paddle, which swings about a
kind of fulcrum, called a rowlock, fixed to the side of
the boat.
[1913 Webster]
2. An oarsman; a rower; as, he is a good oar.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Zool.) An oarlike swimming organ of various
invertebrates.
[1913 Webster]
Oar cock
(Zool.), the water rail. [Prov. Eng.]
Spoon oar, an oar having the blade so curved as to afford a
better hold upon the water in rowing.
To boat the oars, to cease rowing, and lay the oars in the
boat.
To feather the oars. See under Feather., v. t.
To lie on the oars, to cease pulling, raising the oars out
of water, but not boating them; to cease from work of any
kind; to be idle; to rest.
To muffle the oars, to put something round that part which
rests in the rowlock, to prevent noise in rowing.
To put in one's oar, to give aid or advice; -- commonly
used of a person who obtrudes aid or counsel not invited.
To ship the oars, to place them in the rowlocks.
To toss the oars, To peak the oars, to lift them from the
rowlocks and hold them perpendicularly, the handle resting
on the bottom of the boat.
To trail oars, to allow them to trail in the water
alongside of the boat.
To unship the oars, to take them out of the rowlocks.
[1913 Webster]
|