galley

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“
Then the pirates, taking counsel, agreed to run down the enemy; for our galley was a sharp-beaked Liburnian, while theirs was only a messenger trireme And you did it Else had I not been here.

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Definitions (17)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (6)

  1. noun Nautical A large, usually single-decked medieval ship of shallow draft, propelled by sails and oars and used as a merchant ship or warship in the Mediterranean.
  2. noun Nautical An ancient Mediterranean seagoing vessel propelled by oars.
  3. noun Nautical A large rowboat formerly used by British customs officers.
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Examples (50)

  • "It's called a galley, m'lady, not the kitchen," he explained. —  Garwood, Julie - The Gift
  • Adam has become a mobile statue for the moment: He's working in the galley, his expression pale, towering rage and mortal fear obviously arm-wrestling just beneath the surface. —  AnalogSFF,September2008
  • Those years that I spent on the galley were as heaven compared to being in the hands of the Dons I will not tell you how they tortured us--for indeed the story will not bear telling,--but I bear the marks of their irons and the rack to this day. —  Across the Spanish Main A Tale of the Sea in the Days of Queen Bess
  • In the evening there were Mrs. Belgrave's games, music, and dancing with the assistance of the Italian band, and finally the singing of the Gospel Hymns The Blanchita was prepared for her voyage as soon as she came off from the shore, coaled for the round trip, supplied with cooked provisions, though the galley was available, and with everything that could possibly be needed. —  Four Young Explorers or, Sight-Seeing in the Tropics
  • Deane heard those on deck shouting to the boats to make haste as the galley was about to sink. —  John Deane of Nottingham Historic Adventures by Land and Sea
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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English galei, from Old French galie, from Old Provençal or Catalan galea, from Medieval Greek, probably variant of Greek galeos, shark, perhaps from galeē, weasel.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. Formerly also gally, early modern English galey, galy; from Middle English galeye, galay, etc., = D. G. Danish galei = Swedish galeja, from Old French galee, galie, French galée = Provencal galea, galeia, gale = Spanish Portuguese (obsolete) galea = Italian galea, from Middle Latin galea, galeia, Middle Greek γαλέα, γαλαῑα, a galley; ulterior origin unknown. Hence ult. F. galère = Spanish Portuguese Italian galera, a galley, and English galleass, galiot.
 

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/ˈgæli/
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