kedge

American  

[kej] / kɛdʒ /

verb (used with object)

kedged, kedging

1. to warp or pull (a ship) along by hauling on the cable of an anchor carried out from the ship and dropped.

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verb (used without object)

kedged, kedging

1. (of a ship) to move by being kedged.

noun

1. Also called kedge anchor.  a small anchor used in kedging.

kedge British  

/ kɛdʒ /

verb

1. to draw (a vessel) along by hauling in on the cable of a light anchor that has been dropped at some distance from it, or (of a vessel) to be drawn in this fashion

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noun

1. a light anchor, used esp for kedging

Etymology

Origin of kedge

1475–85; akin to Middle English caggen to fasten; cadge ¹

Example Sentences

He dropped a kedge at the caucus room door, and rode up into the eye of a gentle breeze, and backed his mainsail.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Admiral trimmed ship and hauled himself off the reef with his kedge, and stood off majestically down the corridors of the Senate Office Building.

From Time Magazine Archive

It was not long, however, before the enemy discovered the trick the Yankee was playing, and began also to kedge.

From The Second War with England, Vol. 1 of 2 by Headley, Joel Tyler

We had some lunch and then set off again with two boats, another kedge and grass rope, a light cod-line and a large rocket.

From The Cruise of the 'Alerte' The narrative of a search for treasure on the desert island of Trinidad by Knight, E. F. (Edward Frederick)

The boats were already in the water, the kedge lifted, and the crews bending forward in readiness for the signal.

From A Roving Commission Or, Through the Black Insurrection at Hayti by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

Related Words

• mainstay