jolly-boat

A sailor rows the jolly-boat from the ship to the shore.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small boat carried on a ship: "jolly-boat" refers to a small, light boat used as a tender or utility vessel on a larger ship, typically for transporting crew or supplies between the ship and the shore.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The sailors lowered the jolly-boat to fetch fresh water from the island. (The small boat was used to bring supplies from the shore.)
  • A jolly-boat is often stored on deck and can be quickly deployed for emergencies. (It is a practical, easily accessible vessel on a ship.)

Advanced Usage

• "to row the jolly-boat": to propel the small boat using oars.

  • The captain ordered the crew to row the jolly-boat to the harbour. (The small boat was moved manually with oars.)

• "jolly-boat duty": the task of operating or maintaining the small boat on a ship.

  • He was assigned jolly-boat duty for the morning shift. (He was responsible for the small boat's operation.)

Variants and Related Words

• Jolly (adj): cheerful and lively (unrelated to the boat's function, but may share a historical origin).

  • The crew's jolly mood made the voyage pleasant. (They were cheerful.)

• Boat (n): a small vessel for traveling on water.

  • The main ship carried several boats, including a jolly-boat. (A general term for watercraft.)

Synonyms

• Tender: a small boat used to support a larger ship.

  • The tender brought mail to the anchored vessel. (Similar to a jolly-boat in function.)

• Dinghy: a small boat, often inflatable, used for similar purposes.

  • They used a dinghy to reach the shore. (A common synonym for a small utility boat.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Launch the jolly-boat: to put the small boat into the water.

  • The crew quickly launched the jolly-boat to rescue the stranded sailor. (They deployed it from the ship.)

• Lower the jolly-boat: to bring it down from the ship's deck using ropes or davits.

  • They lowered the jolly-boat carefully to avoid damage. (They moved it down to the water.)

Related Idioms

• No jolly-boat in sight: a situation lacking a simple solution or escape.
  • When the engine failed, there was no jolly-boat in sight to save them. (No immediate help or alternative was available.)