LARBOARD Meaning and
Definition
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Larboard, also commonly referred to as port, is a nautical term used to denote the left side of a ship or boat when facing the bow or front. It is the opposite of starboard, which signifies the right side of the vessel.
The term "larboard" has its origins in Middle English and Old English, where it was derived from the Old Norse word "hlawboard," meaning the loading side. In the early days of sailing, ships were maneuvered with steering oars located at the ship's quarter or stern. As a majority of individuals were right-handed, the steering oar was positioned on the right side, leading to the right side being called "steorboard." However, due to confusion and miscommunication with other commands sounding similar, it was later changed to "starboard" to avoid confusion.
As ships became more sophisticated and larger, the sensory distinction between "starboard" and "larboard" was necessary to clearly communicate directions while navigating. To counter the difficulty in hearing these similar-sounding terms, the word "larboard" was then coined to replace the term "port" or "portside." This helped in avoiding confusion and misunderstandings between various commands during navigation.
Today, the term "larboard" is primarily used in historical and maritime contexts, while "port" has become the universally accepted term to signify the left side of a ship or boat. It is important for sailors and navigators to be aware of these terms to ensure clear communication and safe navigation at sea.
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• The left-hand side of a ship, looking towards the head.
• Pert. to the left-hand side of a ship.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for LARBOARD
Etymology of LARBOARD
The word "larboard" was derived from the Middle English term "ladebord", which combines the Old English words "lad" (loading) and "bord" (side of a ship). Over time, "ladebord" transformed into "larboard" through a linguistic process called metathesis, where sounds or letters in a word are rearranged.
In the 19th century, the Royal Navy sought to avoid confusion between the terms "larboard" (left side of a ship) and "starboard" (right side of a ship) due to their similarity in pronunciation. To make a clear distinction, the term "larboard" was officially replaced with "port" in naval usage. This change occurred since "port" sounds quite different from "starboard" and is also associated with the left side of a ship. The replacement allowed for better communication and eliminated the possibility of misinterpretation.
Similar spelling word for LARBOARD
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