oakum

American  

[oh-kuhm] / ˈoʊ kəm /

noun

1. loose fiber obtained by untwisting and picking apart old ropes, used for caulking the seams of ships.

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oakum British  

/ ˈəʊkəm /

noun

1. loose fibre obtained by unravelling old rope, used esp for caulking seams in wooden ships

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Etymology

Origin of oakum

before 1000; Middle English okome, Old English ācuma, variant of ācumba, literally, offcombings, equivalent to ā- separative prefix ( a- ³ ) + -cumba ( comb )

Example Sentences

Their masts were bound about with oakum, or pieces of fazeled ropes, and armed against all shot.

From Project Gutenberg

The convict prison, also on the top of the island, was virtually the barracks for 900 labourers, who were more profitably employed than in walking a treadmill or picking oakum.

From Project Gutenberg

Useful methods of applying these are by the medium of borated cotton, oakum, tow, or spongiopiline, covered with oiled silk or the Lister protective material.

From Project Gutenberg

“He that believeth not shall be imprisoned and pick oakum,” says Mr. Justice North.

From Project Gutenberg

The floor itself was calked with plaster of Paris and common paste, then two inches of Manilla oakum was thrown over it, and upon this a canvas carpet was spread.

From Project Gutenberg