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 ( see a- ³) + -cumba ( see comb)

Example Sentences

"As long as Freddie is singing and the monitor is beeping, you know things are all right," says Oakum, "but it's a nightmare."

From Time Magazine Archive

Mrs. Oakum hushed her grief for the time, in order to quiet the distressed children, who were clinging to their father, and screaming in their agony when they learned whither he was going.

From I've Been Thinking; or, the Secret of Success by Roe, Azel Stevens

Mrs. Oakum let her hands drop as soon as she understood the matter; but it was only to take up her apron—they had work to do with that.

From I've Been Thinking; or, the Secret of Success by Roe, Azel Stevens

Oakum had worked diligently on his boat all day, and continued his labor till a later hour than usual, in expectation that the little skiff would be along, and Sam would accompany him home.

From I've Been Thinking; or, the Secret of Success by Roe, Azel Stevens

And old Mr. Cutter hobbled out, partly leaning on Mr. Oakum, and partly pulling him down the stairs, and out of doors.

From I've Been Thinking; or, the Secret of Success by Roe, Azel Stevens