sennit

American  

[sen-it] / ˈsɛn ɪt /

Also sinnet or sennet

noun

1. a flat, braided cordage, formed by plaiting strands of rope yarn or other fiber, used as small stuff aboard ships.

2. braided straw or grass used in making hats.

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sennit British  

/ ˈsɛnɪt /

noun

1. a flat braided cordage used on ships

2. plaited straw, grass, palm leaves, etc, as for making hats

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Etymology

Origin of sennit

First recorded in 1760–70; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

After being thus disintegrated, the tow was spun into sennit or fine twine and yarn which is always of use on board, quantities of it being used in “serving” and “parcelling” for chafing gear.

From Afloat at Last A Sailor Boy's Log of his Life at Sea by Overend, William Heysham

Even the largest houses have not a nail in them, but are fastened together with sennit, which is a line made from the root of a tree.

From Taking Tales Instructive and Entertaining Reading by Kingston, William Henry Giles

It was built like the houses, without a single nail, but all the planks were sewed together with sennit.

From Taking Tales Instructive and Entertaining Reading by Kingston, William Henry Giles

Then, when we had obtained a sufficiency for the coming night, he set us all to work again upon the sennit, and so until dinner, after which we turned-to once more upon our plaiting.

From The Boats of the "Glen Carrig" by Hodgson, William Hope

Sailormen gets a deal o' presents sent 'em nowadays, rangin' from wrist-watches an' cottage-pianners to woolly 'ug-me-tights in double sennit.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 152, June 13, 1917 by Various