thole-pin
Noun: A thole-pin is a pin or peg, typically made of wood or metal, set in the gunwale of a boat to serve as a fulcrum for an oar during rowing. It acts as a pivot point, allowing the oar to be pulled and pushed effectively.
- (The pin was installed to hold the oar in place.)
- (The peg had become smooth from friction with the oar.)
- (The pin is essential for proper oar control.)
"to ship the thole-pin": to remove or secure the thole-pin when not in use.
- The sailor shipped the thole-pin after docking the boat. (He took out or fastened the pin for storage.)
"thole-pin rowlock": a variant where the thole-pin is paired with a rowlock (a U-shaped fitting) for additional stability.
- The traditional design uses a thole-pin rowlock for smoother strokes. (The combination improves oar movement.)
Thole (n): a pin or peg; a shortened form of thole-pin.
- He replaced the broken thole with a new one. (He substituted the pin.)
Thole-pin (v): to row using a thole-pin.
- They thole-pinned the boat across the lake. (They rowed with the aid of the pin.)
- Oar pin: a pin used as a fulcrum for an oar.
- Rowlock pin: a pin that fits into a rowlock.
- Peg: a general term for a wooden or metal fastener.
Thole-pin out: to remove the thole-pin from its socket.
- The crew thole-pinned out the oars after the race. (They took out the pins to store them.)
Thole-pin in: to insert the thole-pin into the gunwale.
- He thole-pinned in the new pin carefully. (He placed the pin securely into position.)
To pull on the thole-pin: to exert effort or work hard, especially in rowing.
- The rowers pulled on the thole-pin until their arms ached. (They strained against the pin while rowing.)
To stick like a thole-pin: to be firmly fixed or immovable.
- The stubborn drawer stuck like a thole-pin and wouldn't open. (It was jammed as tightly as a pin.)