killock

A sailor secures the killock to the small boat's bow.

Definition

1. Noun (Nautical):
   • A large stone used as an anchor, especially for small boats.
   • A small anchor or a makeshift anchor.
   • (Slang) A sailor.

Usage Examples

• (A large stone used as an anchor.)
• (A makeshift anchor made of stone.)
• (Slang for a sailor.)

Advanced Usage

• "To heave the killock": An old nautical phrase meaning to lift or drop the stone anchor.
  • The crew heaved the killock overboard as they reached the shallow cove. (They deployed the anchor.)

Variants and Related Words

• Killick (n): An alternative spelling of "killock," also referring to a stone anchor or a small anchor.
  • The boat's killick was made of granite. (The stone anchor.)
• Killick (n, British Navy): A leading seaman or petty officer, derived from the anchor symbol on their uniform.
  • The killick ordered the crew to secure the lines. (A naval rank.)

Synonyms

• Anchor: a device used to moor a vessel to the seabed.
• Stone anchor: a heavy rock used for mooring.
• Mooring stone: a stone used to hold a boat in place.

Related Idioms

• "Killick and chain": In nautical slang, referring to an anchor and its rope or chain.
  • They secured the boat with killick and chain before the storm hit. (The anchor and its rigging.)

Additional Notes

• The word "killock" is primarily historical or regional, used in fishing communities and older maritime contexts. It is rarely used in modern English outside of nautical historical accounts or slang references to sailors.