steor

rudder, steering paddle

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View from behind a sailor on a wooden ship, looking FORWARD toward the pointed bow at the TOP of the image. His back faces us. His RIGHT arm extends horizontally toward the RIGHT rail on the RIGHT of the picture, where another crew member secures a rope. Bow clearly narrows to a point ahead; no stern wheel.

noun / adjective / adverb

starboard

STAR-berd/ˈstɑːrbərd/

The right-hand side of a vessel or aircraft when facing forward.

Etymology

starOld Englishrudder, steering paddle

+boardOld Englishboard, plank, or table

The pieces mean “steering-paddle side.” Early Germanic boats were steered with a paddle on the right, so the name of the steering side became the term for the right-hand side facing forward.

Full entry

Related word entries

starboard