Cinque Ports

[ singk ]

plural noun

1. a former association of maritime towns in SE England: originally (1278) numbering five (Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Dover, and Sandwich) and receiving special privileges in return for aiding in the naval defense of England.

Cinque Ports

/ sɪŋk /

plural noun

1. an association of ports on the SE coast of England, originally consisting of Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Dover, and Sandwich, which from late Anglo-Saxon times provided ships for the king's service in return for the profits of justice in their courts. The Cinque Ports declined with the growth of other ports and surrendered their charters in 1685

Word History and Origins

Origin of Cinque Ports¹

1275–1325; Middle English cink pors < Old French cink porz. See cinque, port ¹

Example Sentences

The Cinque Ports held almost a monopoly of the commerce of the Channel.

From Project Gutenberg

He was anxious to open up communications with his allies in the Cinque Ports.

From Project Gutenberg

Dover, papa reminded us, is one of the original Cinque Ports, so called from their number—five.

From Project Gutenberg

Thirteen sail would to some seem ominous; but evidently the Cinque Ports folk were not superstitious.

From Project Gutenberg

In the records of the Cinque Ports which still exist there is enough material for a score of romances.

From Project Gutenberg