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

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

"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

Even the very steeve of the bowsprit seemed familiar to me, and I felt certain that the superbly cut jib and handsome trysail could belong only to the Barracouta!

From The Pirate Slaver A Story of the West African Coast by Overend, William Heysham

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

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

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.]

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)

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)

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

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 begin steeving.

From Two Years Before the Mast by Dana, Richard Henry