kevel

¹ American  

[kev-uhl] / ˈkɛv əl /

noun

Nautical.

1. a sturdy bit, bollard, etc., on which the heavier hawsers of a ship may be secured.

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kevel ² American  

[kev-uhl] / ˈkɛv əl /

noun

1. a hammer for the rough dressing of stone, having one square face and one pyramidal face.

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kevel British  

/ ˈkɛvəl /

noun

1. nautical a strong bitt or bollard for securing heavy hawsers

2. building trades a hammer having an edged end and a pointed end, used for breaking and rough-shaping stone

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Etymology

Origin of kevel¹

1225–75; Middle English kevile < Anglo-French ≪ Latin clāvicula little key ( clāvi ( s ) key + -cula -cule ¹ ); doublet of clavicle

Origin of kevel²

1325–75; Middle English kevell, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

kevel

‘We’ll cast kevels us amang, See wha the unhappy man may be;’ The kevel fell on Brown Robyn, The master-man was he.

From Ballads of Mystery and Miracle and Fyttes of Mirth Popular Ballads of the Olden Times - Second Series by Frank Sidgwick

The beggar was moving to the right and to the left with great rapidity; brandishing his huge kevel, and whispering something into the ears of his friends.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 4 by Various

To make fast, as a rope, by taking several turns with it round a pin, cleat, or kevel.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Noah Webster

Mr. O'Neill, acting master's mate, was very severely injured by a hawser to which the schooner was fastened in tow, slipping on a kevel.

From Reminiscences of Two Years in the United States Navy by John M. (John Mullin) Batten

I crept out of the port into the chains and passed it round the lugger's mainmast, as he told me, handing in the bight to him, which he belayed slack to the mainsheet kevel.

From Poor Jack by Frederick Marryat