noun
galley
A long, narrow ship propelled by oars.
The galley moves through the harbor as its rowers pull together.
Etymology
The medieval word names this type of vessel. English preserves the ship sense for a long craft whose principal propulsion came from banks of oars.
More examples
- Ancient fleets used galleys to carry soldiers into battle.
- The crew raises a sail to help propel the galley.
- The museum displays a model of a Roman galley.
Forms
galley · galleys
Similar words
- trireme
- A specific ancient galley with three tiers of oars.
- rowboat
- Usually a small boat, rather than a long oared ship.