avast

[ uh-vast, uh-vahst ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (imperative)

, Nautical.

avast

/ əˈvɑːst /

Origin of avast¹

1675–85; perhaps < Dutch houd vast hold fast ( hold ¹, fast ¹ )

Origin of avast¹

C17: perhaps from Dutch hou'vast hold fast

“Avast there, Jane,” laughed out Sam, much pleased at the way in which his sister had received me.

"Avast heaving, reverend man, and quit this folly," said the strange; dragging the bewildered Padre after him.

What would the mate of a French frigate say if he wanted to say in French, "Avast there, ye lubbering swab" to a friend like?

In a few minutes the second mate came up, hallooing to us to "avast," and laughing.

And so they watched the evolutions of the gulls for a few minutes, till Josh called out “Avast!”

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse