DictionarythwartCrosswise position
adjective / noun

thwart

Extending across something.

The rower sits on a thwart that spans the boat.

Etymology

The Norse source means across or crosswise. This adjective preserves that spatial sense directly.

More examples

  • Each thwart runs across the boat from side to side.
  • She fastens a cushion to the middle thwart.
  • Two wooden thwarts provide seats for the passengers.

Forms

thwart · thwarts

Similar words

crosswise
Describes an orientation across something, not a boat seat.
transverse
Describes something extending across a length or main axis.
bench
Names a long seat without specifying its position across a boat.