forecastle

[ fohk-suh l, fawr-kas-uh l, -kah-suh l, fohr- ]
/ ˈfoʊk səl, ˈfɔrˌkæs əl, -ˌkɑ səl, ˈfoʊr- /

noun Nautical.

a superstructure at or immediately aft of the bow of a vessel, used as a shelter for stores, machinery, etc., or as quarters for sailors.
any sailors' quarters located in the forward part of a vessel, as a deckhouse.
the forward part of the weather deck of a vessel, especially that part forward of the foremast.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT
Also fo'c's'le, fo'c'sle.

Origin of forecastle

First recorded in 1300–50, forecastle is from the Middle English word forcastel. See fore-, castle

Words nearby forecastle

foreboding, forebody, forebrain, forecaddie, forecast, forecastle, forecastle deck, forecastle head, forechoir, forecited, foreclose
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for forecastle

British Dictionary definitions for forecastle

forecastle

fo'c's'le or fo'c'sle

/ (ˈfəʊksəl) /

noun

the part of a vessel at the bow where the crew is quartered and stores, machines, etc, may be stowed
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012