gang-board

The sailor walks down the gang-board to the dock.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A temporary walkway or plank: "gang-board" refers to a narrow, movable bridge or plank used for boarding or leaving a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle. It is typically made of wood or metal and is placed between the vessel and the dock or ground.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The passengers walked carefully across the gang-board to reach the dock. (A temporary walkway used to leave the ship.)
  • The crew lowered the gang-board so that supplies could be loaded. (A movable plank for accessing the vessel.)

Advanced Usage

• "to walk the gang-board": an idiomatic or literal phrase meaning to use the gang-board to board or disembark.
  • The sailor walked the gang-board with steady steps. (He crossed the plank to get on or off the ship.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gang-plank (n): a synonym for gang-board, often used interchangeably.
  • The gang-plank was secured to the ship's side. (The same type of walkway.)

Synonyms

• Plank: a long, flat piece of timber.
• Walkway: a passage or path for walking.
• Ramp: a sloping surface connecting two levels.

Related Idioms

• "to go over the gang-board": an informal expression meaning to leave a ship or aircraft.
  • The passengers went over the gang-board and onto the pier. (They disembarked using the walkway.)

Notes

• The term "gang-board" is less common than "gang-plank" in modern usage, but both refer to the same object. It is primarily used in nautical or aviation contexts.