steeve

A sailor uses a steeve to stow cargo on the deck.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A stave or pole used in stowing cargo: In maritime contexts, a "steeve" is a long spar or pole employed to assist in the arrangement and packing of cargo in a ship's hold.
   • The angle of a bowsprit: In nautical terminology, "steeve" also refers to the upward inclination or angle of a bowsprit relative to the horizontal.

2. Verb:

   • To stow cargo using a steeve: The primary verbal meaning is to pack or arrange cargo in a ship's hold by means of a steeve or similar tool.
   • To tilt upward (of a bowsprit): In maritime usage, "to steeve" means to set or raise a bowsprit at an upward angle.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The crew used a long steeve to wedge the barrels tightly into the hold. (A pole for stowing cargo.)
  • The ship's bowsprit had a sharp steeve, giving the vessel a distinctive profile. (The upward angle of the bowsprit.)

• Verb:

  • The stevedores steeved the heavy crates with skill and precision. (They packed the cargo using a steeve.)
  • The sailors steeved the bowsprit to improve the ship's sailing performance. (They tilted the bowsprit upward.)

Advanced Usage

• "to steeve a hold": to fill or pack a ship's hold completely and efficiently.

  • The captain ordered the crew to steeve the hold before the voyage. (To arrange cargo tightly.)

• "the steeve of a spar": the specific angle or position of a spar in rigging.

  • The steeve of the jib boom was adjusted for the strong wind. (The tilt of the spar.)

Variants and Related Words

• Stevedore (n): a person employed to load and unload ships (derived from "steeve," as the tool used).

  • The stevedore worked quickly to steeve the cargo. (A dockworker who stows cargo.)

• Steeving (adj or n): the act or process of stowing cargo with a steeve; also the upward angle of a spar.

  • The steeving of the cargo was done efficiently. (The packing process.)

Synonyms

• Stow: to pack or store goods in a compact manner.
• Tilt: to incline or angle upward (for the bowsprit meaning).

Phrasal Verbs

• Steeve up: to raise or tilt a spar or bowsprit to a steeper angle.
  • The crew steeved up the bowsprit to catch more wind. (They increased its upward angle.)

Related Idioms

• No common idioms: The word "steeve" is highly specialized and appears almost exclusively in maritime or cargo-handling contexts. It does not form part of everyday idiomatic expressions.