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

"Frank!" shouted Captain Sedley, who was at the helm, while Uncle Ben was gazing at them with a very sorrowful face from the half deck.

From All Aboard; or, Life on the Lake A Sequel to "The Boat Club" by Optic, Oliver

It had been an old ship’s jolly-boat, and had a roughly-built half deck cabin about the size of a four-wheeled cab. 

From Rambling Recollections of Chelsea by an old inhabitant by Ellenor, J. B.

Now they were come to the prow, and there was a half deck under which they were set, out of reach of the wind and water.

From Eric Brighteyes by Haggard, Henry Rider

Higher up and farther back was another wall of shields; for on the half deck in the stern of every ship stood the captain with his shield-guard of a dozen men.

From Viking Tales by Lambdin, Victor Ralph