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
larboard (usually uncountable, plural larboards)
(archaic, nautical) The left side of a ship, looking from the stern forward to the bow; port side.
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.
• backboard
• port
• left
• starboard
• Labrador, labrador
Source: Wiktionary
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Note: Larboard is a nearly obsolete term, having been superseded by port to avoid liability of confusion with starboard, owing to similarity of sound.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
16 April 2025
(adjective) marked by richness and fullness of flavor; “a rich ruby port”; “full-bodied wines”; “a robust claret”; “the robust flavor of fresh-brewed coffee”
The Boston Tea Party helped popularize coffee in America. The hefty tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773 resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. In the lead up to the Revolutionary War, it became patriotic to sip java instead of tea. The Civil War made the drink more pervasive. Coffee helped energize tired troops, and drinking it became an expression of freedom.
