nautical

[naw-ti-kuhl, not-i-]

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adjective

of or relating to sailors, ships, or navigation: nautical terms.

Origin of nautical

1545–55; < Latin nautic(us) pertaining to ships or sailors (< Greek nautikós, equivalent to naû(s) ship + -tikos -tic) + -al¹

Related formsnau·ti·cal·i·ty

[naw-ti-kal-i-tee, not-i-] /ˌnɔ tɪˈkæl ɪ ti, ˌnɒt ɪ-/, nounnau·ti·cal·ly, adverbnon·nau·ti·cal, adjectivenon·nau·ti·cal·ly, adverbun·nau·ti·cal, adjective

Can be confusednaval nautical

Synonyms for nautical

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seagoing, marine, maritime.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for nautical

navigational, seafaring, maritime, marine, aquatic, naval, oceanic, pelagic, salty, ship, abyssal, thalassic, boating, deep-sea, navigating, oceangoing, oceanographic, rowing, sailing, seagoing

Examples from the Web for nautical

Contemporary Examples of nautical

Leave it to one of America's oldest artist colonies to put a uniquely creative spin on this nautical holiday tradition.
New England’s Crazy Christmas Tree Tradition
Condé Nast Traveler
December 21, 2013
Dana Kennedy on the nautical newcomers and diminishing glamour of St. Tropez and Monte Carlo.
Look Who's Yachting!
Dana Kennedy
August 16, 2010

Historical Examples of nautical

"Ten minutes more and it is too late," said the nautical passenger.
In a Steamer Chair and Other Stories
Robert Barr
After this piece of nautical gallantry, the glass began to circulate.
Homeward Bound
James Fenimore Cooper
And, as usual, his nautical friend to interrupt and comment.
Cap'n Warren's Wards
Joseph C. Lincoln
Sears was excited now, and, as usual when excited, drifted into nautical phraseology.
Fair Harbor
Joseph Crosby Lincoln
In the evening we had our second nautical entertainment in honour of the day.
The Last Voyage
Lady (Annie Allnutt) Brassey

British Dictionary definitions for nautical

nautical

adjective

of, relating to, or involving ships, navigation, or sailors

Derived Formsnautically, adverb

Word Origin for nautical

C16: from Latin nauticus, from Greek nautikos, from naus ship

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for nautical

adj.

1550s, from -al (1) + nautic from Middle French nautique, from Latin nauticus "pertaining to ships or sailors," from Greek nautikos "seafaring, naval," from nautes "sailor," from naus "ship," from PIE *nau- "boat" (see naval).