killick

A sailor secures a killick to the bow of a small wooden boat.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of anchor: In nautical contexts, "killick" refers to a small anchor, often a large stone used as a makeshift anchor for small boats.
   • A stone used as an anchor: Specifically, a heavy stone tied to a rope, used to secure a vessel.
   • Slang for a sailor: In informal British naval slang, "killick" denotes a leading seaman or a junior naval rating.

Usage Examples

• As an anchor:

  • The fisherman dropped the killick over the side to keep the dinghy steady in the shallow water. (He used a small stone anchor for the small boat.)
  • They fashioned a killick from a large rock and a length of rope. (They made a simple anchor from natural materials.)

• As slang for a sailor:

  • The killick ordered the new recruits to swab the deck. (The leading seaman gave the command.)
  • He was promoted to killick after three years of service. (He became a junior naval officer.)

Advanced Usage

• "to weigh the killick": to lift the anchor and prepare to sail.

  • At dawn, the crew weighed the killick and set course for the open sea. (They raised the small anchor and departed.)

• "killick stone": a term emphasizing the stone's use as an anchor.

  • The killick stone was tied securely to the bow line. (The stone anchor was attached to the front of the boat.)

Variants and Related Words

• Killock (n): an alternate spelling of "killick," used in historical or dialectal contexts.

  • The old sailor referred to the anchor as a killock. (He used the variant spelling.)

• Killick hitch (n): a knot used to attach a rope to a stone or anchor.

  • He tied a killick hitch to ensure the rope wouldn't slip. (A specific knot for securing a stone anchor.)

Synonyms

• Anchor: a device used to moor a vessel to the seabed.
• Mooring stone: a heavy stone used to secure a boat.
• Grapnel: a small anchor with multiple hooks.

Idioms

• "To be a killick": in naval slang, to hold the rank of leading seaman.

  • He's a killick now, so he has authority over the junior ratings. (He is a leading seaman.)

• "Killick and cable": a phrase referring to the anchor and its rope or chain.

  • The killick and cable were stored in the forward locker. (The anchor and its line were kept in the front compartment.)