gunnel

¹ American  

[guhn-l] / ˈgʌn l /

noun

1. any small eellike blenny of the family Pholididae (Pholidae), especially Pholis gunnellus rock gunnel, orbutterfish, common in shallow waters of the North Atlantic.

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gunnel ² American  

[guhn-l] / ˈgʌn l /

noun

Nautical.

1. gunwale.

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gunnel ¹ British  

/ ˈɡʌnəl /

noun

1. any eel-like blennioid fish of the family Pholidae, occurring in coastal regions of northern seas See also butterfish

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gunnel ² British  

/ ˈɡʌnəl /

noun

1. a variant spelling of gunwale

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Etymology

Origin of gunnel¹

First recorded in 1680–90; origin uncertain

Origin of gunnel²

1425–75; Middle English. See gunwale

Example Sentences

Between bench and gunnel there was twelve inches, and the side benches were only one and a half feet wide.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

I sat astride it, on the rounded edge of the speared lifebuoy, my left foot against the tip of the prow, my right foot on the gunnel.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

I carefully brought my eyes over the gunnel.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

We had plenty of freeboard, the distance between the water and the gunnel; it would take a mean sea to swamp us.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

He balanced on the gunnel and the stern bench for a moment, assessing me.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel