Astern
[ə'stɜːn] or [ə'stɝn]
Definition
(adv.) (of a ship or an airplane) behind; 'we dropped her astern on the end of a seven-inch manilla, and she laid comfortably on the ebb tide'.
(adv.) stern foremost or backward; 'the steamer went astern at half speed'.
Checked by Emil--From WordNet
Definition
(adv.) In or at the hinder part of a ship; toward the hinder part, or stern; backward; as, to go astern.
(adv.) Behind a ship; in the rear.
Typist: Penelope
Synonyms and Synonymous
ad. (Naut.) [1]. Behind, back.[2]. Backward, rearward, abaft.
Typed by Darla
Definition
adv. in the stern: towards the hinder part of a ship: behind.
Editor: Winthrop
Examples
- Some time before I had reduced our speed, for we had left the Valley Dor many miles astern, and I felt comparatively safe. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- Lizzie shot ahead, and the other boat fell astern. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- A battleship thus armed is able to fire six guns ahead and six astern by raising the second and third turrets so as to fire over the others. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- A great battleship, forging silent and unlighted through the dark night, loomed close astern. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- The chugging came closer; then we saw the motor boat in the rain a little astern of us. Ernest Hemingway. A Farewell To Arms.
- An untrained sight would never have seen by the moonlight what she saw at the length of a few strokes astern. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Mr. Philander stole another observation astern. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
Editor: Winthrop