half deck

American  

noun

1. (in a sailing ship) the portion of the deck below the upper or spar deck and aft of the mainmast.

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Other Word Forms

• half-decker
  noun

Etymology

Origin of half deck

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

It's a sight out of a Twain lover's imagined memory: a tiny, homemade Mississippi River raft, buoyant on blue oil-drums, flapping blue canvas greetings from its scanty half deck.

From Time Magazine Archive

The bark had a half deck extending to the main-mast.

From The Story of a Strange Career Being the Autobiography of a Convict; an Authentic Document by Anonymous

Now aft, near the tiller, a small boat was bound on the half deck of the Raven.

From Eric Brighteyes by Haggard, Henry Rider

Among these were several accomplished tailors, who nearly the whole cruise sat cross-legged on the half deck, making coats, pantaloons, and vests for the quarter-deck officers.

From White Jacket or, the World on a Man-of-War by Melville, Herman

She was a very poor subject to work upon, but he got out the wood for building a half deck over her, which he fitted on as he had opportunity.

From Little By Little or, The Cruise of the Flyaway by Optic, Oliver