Adjacent Words

Davit definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

DAV'IT, n. A beam used on board of ships, as a crane to hoist the flukes of the anchor to the top of the bow, without injuring the sides of the ship; an operation called fishing the anchor.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a crane-like device (usually one of a pair) for suspending or lowering equipment (as a lifeboat)

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Middle English daviot, from Anglo-French, from Middle French daviet joiner's cramp, diminutive of david cramp, probably from the name David Date: 15th century a crane that projects over the side of a ship or a hatchway and is used especially for boats, anchors, or cargo

U.S. Military Dictionary

A small crane on a vessel that is used to raise and lower small boats, such as lifeboats, side loadable warping tugs, or causeway sections. (JP 4-01.6)

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. a small crane on board a ship, esp. one of a pair for suspending or lowering a lifeboat. Etymology: AF & OF daviot dimin. of Davi David

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Davit Dav"it, n. [Cf. F. davier forceps, davit, cooper's instrument, G. david davit; all probably from the proper name David.] (Naut.) (a) A spar formerly used on board of ships, as a crane to hoist the flukes of the anchor to the top of the bow, without injuring the sides of the ship; -- called also the fish davit. (b) pl. Curved arms of timber or iron, projecting over a ship's side of stern, having tackle to raise or lower a boat, swing it in on deck, rig it out for lowering, etc.; -- called also boat davits. --Totten.