astern

/əs'tə:n/

Friendly

Explanation of "astern"

Definition:
The word "astern" is an adverb that means "behind" in relation to a ship or an airplane. It is used to describe something that is located at or near the back of these vehicles.

Usage Instructions:

• "Astern" is typically used in nautical or aviation contexts.
• It is often used to describe the position of objects or the movement of a vessel.

Examples:

1. Basic Example: "We dropped the anchor astern, so the boat would stay in place."
   (This means the anchor was placed behind the boat.)

2. Advanced Example: "The captain looked astern to see if there were any other ships approaching."
   (Here, the captain is checking behind the ship.)

Advanced Usage:

• "Astern" can be used to describe actions or movements, such as reversing or moving backward. For instance, when a ship is maneuvering in tight spaces, one might say, "The ship went astern to make room for the boat to pass."

Word Variants:

• Aft: This term is often used interchangeably with "astern," though "aft" can also function as an adjective. For example, "the aft deck" refers to the back deck of a ship.

Different Meanings:

• While "astern" primarily relates to nautical or aviation contexts, it can also metaphorically refer to being behind in a more general sense. For example, "In terms of technology, our company is lagging astern our competitors."

Synonyms:

• Behind
• Aft
• Back
• Rear

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

Currently, there are no widely used idioms or phrasal verbs that include "astern." However, you might encounter phrases like "look astern," which means to look back or check what is behind you.

Summary:

In summary, "astern" is a specific term used to describe something located behind a ship or airplane. It is essential in maritime and aviation language and can describe both position and movement.

Academic

Adverb

1. (of a ship or an airplane) behind
   • we dropped her astern on the end of a seven-inch manilla, and she laid comfortably on the ebb tide
2. at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane
   • stow the luggage aft
   • ships with square sails sail fairly efficiently with the wind abaft
   • the captain looked astern to see what the fuss was about
3. stern foremost or backward
   • the steamer went astern at half speed

Synonyms

• aft
• abaft