alow

¹ American  

[uh-loh] / əˈloʊ /

adverb

Nautical.

1. below decks.

2. (on a square-rigged sailing ship) in the lower rigging, specifically, below the lower yards (opposed to aloft).

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alow ² American  

[uh-loh] / əˈloʊ /

Or alowe

adjective

Northern British Dialect.

1. ablaze; aflame.

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alow British  

/ əˈləʊ /

adverb

1. (postpositive) nautical in or into the lower rigging of a vessel, near the deck

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Etymology

Origin of alow¹

1350–1400; earlier, downward, lower down, Middle English aloue; see a- ¹, low ¹

Origin of alow²

1150–1200; Middle English o loghe, a lowe; see a- ¹, low ³

Example Sentences

The Social Security Administration’s policy will alow people to select their sex in records “without needing to provide documentation of their sex designation,” Ms. Kijakazi said.

From New York Times • Oct. 19, 2022

"All alone," said I. "Broach me every barrel aboard if ever I see sich a vessel," he cried, his astonishment rising with the searching glances he directed aloft and alow.

From The Frozen Pirate by Russell, W. Clark (William Clark)

Then, as he afterwards expressed it, he “clapped on all sail-stuns’ls alow and aloft, and sky-scrapers—and went into action like a true blue British tar, with little Archie Sinclair full sail astern.”

From The Buffalo Runners A Tale of the Red River Plains by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

Synonymous with below; as alow and aloft, though more properly low and aloft.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

I hear the old bumble-bee down alow yonder.

From The White Lady of Hazelwood A Tale of the Fourteenth Century by Rainey, W. (William)