hawser

[ haw-zer, -ser ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. a heavy rope for mooring or towing.

hawser

/ ˈhɔːzə /

noun

1. nautical a large heavy rope

Word History and Origins

Origin of hawser¹

1300–50; Middle English haucer < Anglo-French hauceour, equivalent to Middle French hauci ( er ) to hoist (< Late Latin *altiāre to raise, derivative of Latin altus high; haughty ) + -our -or ², -er ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of hawser¹

C14: from Anglo-French hauceour , from Old French haucier to hoist, ultimately from Latin altus high

Example Sentences

Pike payed out the hawser, the coxswain eased off the spring; away went the boat, and next moment Pike had Stanley by the hair.

From Project Gutenberg

The hawser was slipped as he spoke; the lifeboat was hauled slowly but steadily to windward up to her anchor.

From Project Gutenberg

The hawser was made into a loop around his body and the other end was tied around the mother.

From Project Gutenberg

He was pulled forward quite a distance, when the hawser broke and his fore-legs fell on the plank.

From Project Gutenberg

The situation was not so bad as we thought, however, as it was very easy to slip another hawser under him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cable
• strand
• string
• tape
• thread
• twine