steeve

¹ American  

[steev] / stiv /

verb (used with object)

steeved, steeving

1. to stuff (cotton or other cargo) into a ship's hold.

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noun

1. a long derrick or spar, with a block at one end, used in stowing cargo in a ship's hold.

steeve ² American  

[steev] / stiv /

verb (used without object)

steeved, steeving

1. (of a bowsprit or the like) to incline upward at an angle instead of extending horizontally.

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verb (used with object)

steeved, steeving

1. to set (a spar) at an upward inclination.

steeve ¹ British  

/ stiːv /

noun

1. a spar having a pulley block at one end, used for stowing cargo on a ship

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verb

1. (tr) to stow (cargo) securely in the hold of a ship

steeve ² British  

/ stiːv /

verb

1. to incline (a bowsprit or other spar) upwards or (of a bowsprit) to incline upwards at an angle from the horizontal

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noun

1. such an angle

Etymology

Origin of steeve¹

1475–85; probably < Spanish estibar to cram < Latin stīpāre to stuff, pack tightly; akin to Old English stīf stiff

Origin of steeve²

First recorded in 1635–45; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

steeve steeved steeving

This they did all day long for several days, until their hides were all discharged, when a gang of them were sent on board the Alert to help us steeve our hides.

From Two Years Before the Mast by Dana, Richard Henry

Thou ance was i’ the foremost rank, A filly, buirdly, steeve, an’ swank, An set weel down a shapely shank, As e’er tread yird; An’ could hae flown out-owre a stank, Like ony bird.

From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Burns, Robert

This they did all day long for several days, until their hides were all discharged, when a gang of them were sent on board the Alert, to help us steeve our hides.

From Two Years Before the Mast by Dana, Richard Henry

"Weel, Jeemie," said his father, shaking hands with him limply, "yon was some steeve parritch ye gied us this mornin!—and the meal itsel was baith auld and soor!"

From Salted with Fire by MacDonald, George

At length— "It seems to me a gey steeve case," he said.

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 7 by Various

If it wisna' for that bowsprit bein' steeved up and th' rivets stertit in th' bows o' her, I widna' be here at a'....

From The Brassbounder A Tale of the Sea by Bone, David W.

"A brown patch in the big main-topsail, and the bowsprit steeved more'n ordinary," said Joe.

From Blackbeard: Buccaneer by Schoonover, Frank Earle

How they called up to my mind the months of curing at San Diego, the year and more of beach and surf work, and the steeving of the ship for home!

From Two Years Before the Mast by Dana, Richard Henry

Falconer also states that a sloop differs from a cutter by having a fixed steeving bowsprit and a jib-stay.

From King's Cutters and Smugglers 1700-1855 by Chatterton, E. Keble (Edward Keble)

For one moment I saw everything reel and aslant—Kato, the Schmerveloffians on the sofa, the cistern-post with its hats and coats and one hook empty, steeving up towards a tilted ceiling....

From The Debit Account by Onions, Oliver [pseud.]

The martinganes flatten in their jibs along their high steeving bowsprits and jib-booms.

From The Children of the King by Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion)

We continued at work in this manner until the lower hold was filled to within four feet of the beams, when all hands were called aboard to commence steeving.

From Two Years Before the Mast by Dana, Richard Henry