motor-ship

A motor-ship sails across the calm blue sea.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A "motor-ship" is a type of ship that is propelled primarily by an internal combustion engine (usually a diesel engine), as opposed to being powered by steam turbines or sails. It is a common term used in maritime contexts to distinguish vessels with motor propulsion.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The cargo was transported across the Atlantic on a modern motor-ship. (A ship with a motor engine.)
  • Many old steamships have been replaced by more efficient motor-ships. (Vessels using internal combustion engines.)

Advanced Usage

• "motor-ship" in classification: In shipping registries, the abbreviation "M/S" or "MS" often precedes a ship's name to indicate it is a motor-ship.
  • The M/S Explorer is a well-known research vessel. (The prefix "M/S" denotes a motor-ship.)

Variants and Related Words

• Motor vessel (n): a synonym for motor-ship, often abbreviated as "MV".
  • The MV Atlantic Star is a motor vessel. (Another term for a motor-ship.)
• Motorship (n): a variant spelling without the hyphen, meaning the same thing.
  • The new motorship is faster than its predecessor. (A ship with a motor engine.)

Synonyms

• Motor vessel: a ship propelled by a motor.
• Diesel ship: a ship specifically using diesel engines for propulsion.

Related Idioms

• There are no common idioms directly involving "motor-ship". The term is largely technical and used in nautical or shipping contexts.