LARBOARD

port, larboard

(adjective) located on the left side of a ship or aircraft

larboard, port

(noun) the left side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

larboard (usually uncountable, plural larboards)

(archaic, nautical) The left side of a ship, looking from the stern forward to the bow; port side.

Usage notes

In the Royal Navy it was not until 1844 that larboard was abandoned for port in reference to that side of the ship. The term port however had always been used when referring to the helm (ie. sailing direction), in order to avoid any confusion between starboard and larboard in such an important matter. (Reference: Ray Parkin, H. M. Bark Endeavour, Miegunyah Press, second edition 2003, , page 56.)

In chapter 12 of Life on the Mississippi (1883) Mark Twain writes larboard was used to refer to the left side of the ship (Mississippi River steamboat) in his days on the river -- circa 1857-1861.

Synonyms

• backboard

• port

• left

Antonyms

• starboard

Anagrams

• Labrador, labrador

Source: Wiktionary

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Lar"board`, n. Etym: [Lar- is of uncertain origin, possibly the same as lower, i. e., humbler in rank, because the starboard side is considered by mariners as higher in rank; cf. D. laag low, akin to E. low. See Board, n., 8.] (Naut.)

Definition: The left-hand side of a ship to one on board facing toward the bow; port; -- opposed to Ant: starboard.

Note: Larboard is a nearly obsolete term, having been superseded by port to avoid liability of confusion with starboard, owing to similarity of sound.

Lar"board`, a.

Definition: On or pertaining to the left-hand side of a vessel; port; as, the larboard quarter.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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