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definitions

chesstree

[ches-tree]
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noun Nautical.

(in the 17th and 18th centuries) a wooden fastening with one or more sheaves, attached to the topside of a sailing vessel, through which the windward tack of a course was rove.

Origin of chesstree

1620–30; perhaps by folk etymology < French châssis frame; see chassis
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for chesstree

Historical Examples of chesstree

  • Sea after sea struck her on the chesstree or the beam, pouring over her decks and adding to the accumulation of water in her hold.