proa

[ proh-uh ]

noun

1. any of various types of Indonesian boats, especially a swift Malay sailing boat built with the lee side flat and balanced by a single outrigger.

proa

/ ˈprəʊə /

noun

1. any of several kinds of canoe-like boats used in the South Pacific, esp one equipped with an outrigger and sails

Word History and Origins

Origin of proa¹

1575–85; < Malay pərahu, pərau (spelling perahu ) (< Kannada paḍahu, or a cognate Dravidian word); probably influenced by Spanish or Portuguese proa prow ¹, bow

Word History and Origins

Origin of proa¹

C16: from Malay parāhū a boat

Example Sentences

The proa had entered the quiet waters within, and was coming to rest as gracefully as a sea gull stops in its flight.

From Project Gutenberg

During the afternoon such goods as were deemed necessary were transferred to the proa, which lay at anchor in the lagoon.

From Project Gutenberg

The afternoon sun was waning when Peter Gross's sailing proa arrived at Sadong.

From Project Gutenberg

A vociferous crowd of Dyaks hastened to the beach under the misapprehension that the proa was a trader.

From Project Gutenberg

“There was a proa which passed close to the island while we were opening the pearl-oysters,” said Storms.

From Project Gutenberg