oakum

[ oh-kuhm ]

noun

1. loose fiber obtained by untwisting and picking apart old ropes, used for caulking the seams of ships.

oakum

/ ˈəʊkəm /

noun

1. loose fibre obtained by unravelling old rope, used esp for caulking seams in wooden ships

Word History and Origins

Origin of oakum¹

before 1000; Middle English okome, Old English ācuma, variant of ācumba, literally, offcombings, equivalent to ā- separative prefix ( a- ³ ) + -cumba ( comb )

Word History and Origins

Origin of oakum¹

Old English ācuma, variant of ācumba, literally: off-combings, from ā- off + -cumba, from cemban to comb

Example Sentences

Nor was even breaking stone or picking oakum to be paid for as wages, or regarded as employment.

From Project Gutenberg

On the floor he spread a lot of wet oakum wads to prevent the splashing of the metal setting the floor afire.

From Project Gutenberg

The oakum is forced tight enough to make a water-tight joint.

From Project Gutenberg

This piece of oakum is forced to the bottom of the hub, then another piece is put in.

From Project Gutenberg

A wad of oakum is taken and forced into the hub with the yarning iron.

From Project Gutenberg