vang

American

[vang] / væŋ /

noun

Nautical.

a rope extending from the peak of a gaff to the ship's rail or to a mast, used to steady the gaff.

vang British

/ væŋ /

noun

a rope or tackle extended from the boom of a fore-and-aft mainsail to a deck fitting of a vessel when running, in order to keep the boom from riding up
a guy extending from the end of a gaff to the vessel's rail on each side, used for steadying the gaff

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of vang

1760–70; < Dutch: device for securing something; compare vanglijn bow rope, equivalent to vang + lijn line

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I was so angry "Ek kon slange vang" - meaning, I could wrestle snakes with my bare hands.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2022

It is an anger so powerful: "Ek kan slange vang" - I can wrestle snakes with my bare hands.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2022

Anyone who knows the difference between windward and leeward but not between a boom vang and an outhaul feels apprehensive.

From Time Magazine Archive

The next night, feeling mighty lonely, Ah walked five kilometres to th' nearest estaminet, the 'Rondyvoo de Chasers,' an' looked upon the vang while it was rouge.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 156, June 11, 1919 by Various

Coiling down gear, I discovered that the running part of the spanker vang was off the pin, and trailing over the side.

From The Blood Ship by Springer, Norman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023