stow-wood

A sailor places a piece of stow-wood to secure a cargo crate.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Wood used for securing cargo: "stow-wood" refers to pieces of wood placed in the hold of a ship to wedge barrels or other cargo tightly in place, preventing shifting during transport.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The crew needed more stow-wood to secure the casks of rum in the lower hold. (Wood pieces used to wedge cargo.)
  • Without proper stow-wood, the barrels might roll and damage each other during a storm. (Wood used for cargo stability.)

Advanced Usage

• "to pack with stow-wood": to fill gaps in a ship's cargo area using stow-wood.
  • The sailors packed the spaces between the crates with stow-wood to prevent movement. (They used wood pieces for secure stowage.)

Variants and Related Words

• Stow (verb): to put away or store in a compact, orderly manner.

  • He had to stow his luggage in the overhead bin. (To store items neatly.)

• Stowage (noun): the act of storing goods, or the space used for storage.

  • The ship's stowage capacity was limited. (The space available for storing cargo.)

Synonyms

• Chocking wood: wood used to prevent movement (common in maritime contexts).
• Dunnage: loose wood or other material used to protect or support cargo in a ship's hold.
  • Dunnage is often made from stow-wood. (Protective material for cargo.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Stow away: to hide on a vehicle (such as a ship) to travel without paying.
  • The stowaway hid among the stow-wood in the cargo hold. (He concealed himself using the wood as cover.)

Related Idioms

• Stow it!: an informal command meaning "be quiet!" or "stop talking!"
  • When the argument grew loud, the captain shouted, "Stow it!" (A command to cease noise.)