caïque

or ca·ique

[ kah-eek ]

noun

1. a single-masted sailing vessel used on the eastern Mediterranean Sea, having a sprit mainsail, a square topsail, and two or more other sails.
2. a long, narrow rowboat used on the Bosporus.

caïque

/ kaɪˈiːk /

noun

1. a long narrow light rowing skiff used on the Bosporus
2. a sailing vessel of the E Mediterranean with a sprit mainsail, square topsail, and two or more jibs or other sails

Word History and Origins

Origin of caïque¹

1615–25; < French < Italian caicco < Turkish kayιk; replacing caik < Turkish kayιk

Word History and Origins

Origin of caïque¹

C17: from French, from Italian caicco, from Turkish kayik

Example Sentences

The caique is a curiously shaped canoe-sort of a craft, and you have to get in carefully and sit still.

From Project Gutenberg

Those who ride in them do not sit on benches, but in the bottom of the caique, on a Persian carpet.

From Project Gutenberg

The refreshing coolness of the sea breeze induced us to hire a caique, and we coasted along towards the Seraglio Point.

From Project Gutenberg

He accompanied a party of Americans to Buyukdere, where they took a caique, and rowed alongside the Russian flag-ship.

From Project Gutenberg

The caique is long and very narrow, and sharp at both ends—pointed, in fact.

From Project Gutenberg