Definition

1. Noun:
   • A spare anchor carried on a ship for emergency use: A "waist anchor" is a secondary anchor, typically stowed amidships (in the waist of the vessel), intended to be deployed if the primary anchors are lost or fail.

Usage

• The term is a specific nautical term. It is used to refer to the physical object (the anchor itself) and its designated purpose and location on a ship.
• Example: "During the storm, when the bower anchor cable snapped, the captain ordered the crew to prepare the waist anchor."
• Example: "The ship's inventory listed two bower anchors and one waist anchor."

Advanced Usage

• The "waist" refers to the central part of a ship's deck. Therefore, a "waist anchor" is specifically one stored in that location, as opposed to anchors at the bow (bower anchors) or stern (stern anchor).
• Its use implies a situation of distress or equipment failure, as it is a for use.

Variants and Related Words

• Spare anchor: A more general term for any extra anchor.
• Emergency anchor: A functional synonym emphasizing the purpose.
• Bower anchor: The primary anchor(s) carried at the bow of the ship.
• Stern anchor: An anchor deployed from the stern of the vessel.

Synonyms

• Spare anchor
• Emergency anchor
• Sheet anchor (Note: "Sheet anchor" can be synonymous in the sense of a reliable last resort, but historically and technically, it may refer to a specific large anchor or a different concept related to sailing rigging.)

Antonyms

• Primary anchor
• Bower anchor (as the main working anchor, not the spare)

Related Phrases/Idioms

• To use the waist anchor: To resort to the emergency option.
  • Example (figurative): "When the main generator failed, the old backup system was our waist anchor."

Noun

1. spare anchor for use in emergency