Adjacent Words

Port definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

PORT, n. [L. portus, porto, to carry; L. fero; Eng. to bear.]
1. A harbor; a haven; any bay,cove, inlet or recess of the sea or of a lake or the mouth of a river, which ships or vessels can enter, and where they can lie safe from injury by storms. Ports may be natural or artificial, and sometimes works of art, as piers and moles, are added to the natural shores of a place to render a harbor more safe. The word port is generally applied to spacious harbors much resorted to be ships, as the port of London or of Boston, and not to small bays or coves which are entered occasionally, or in stress of weather only. Harbor includes all places of safety for shipping.
2. A gate. [L. porta.]
From their ivory port the cherubim
Forth issued.
3. An embrasure or opening in the side of a ship of war, through which cannon are discharged; a port-hole.
4. The lid which shuts a port-hole.
5. Carriage; air; mien; manner of movement or walk; demeanor; external appearance; as a proud port; the port of a gentleman.
Their port was more than human.
With more terrific port
Thou walkest.
6. In seamen's language,the larboard or left side of a ship; as in the phrase,"the ship heels to port." "Port the helm," is an order to put the helm to the larboard side.
7. A kind of wine made in Portugal; so called from Oporto.
of the voice, in music, the faculty or habit of making the shakes, passages and diminutions, in which the beauty of a song consists.
PORT, v.t. To carry in form; as ported spears.
1. To turn or put to the left or larboard side of a ship. See the noun, No.6. It is used in the imperative.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: located on the left side of a ship or aircraft [syn: port, larboard] n
1: a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
2: sweet dark-red dessert wine originally from Portugal [syn: port, port wine]
3: an opening (in a wall or ship or armored vehicle) for firing through [syn: port, embrasure, porthole]
4: the left side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose [syn: larboard, port] [ant: starboard]
5: (computer science) computer circuit consisting of the hardware and associated circuitry that links one device with another (especially a computer and a hard disk drive or other peripherals) [syn: interface, port] v
1: put or turn on the left side, of a ship; "port the helm"
2: bring to port; "the captain ported the ship at night"
3: land at or reach a port; "The ship finally ported"
4: turn or go to the port or left side, of a ship; "The big ship was slowly porting"
5: carry, bear, convey, or bring; "The small canoe could be ported easily"
6: carry or hold with both hands diagonally across the body, especially of weapons; "port a rifle"
7: drink port; "We were porting all in the club after dinner"
8: modify (software) for use on a different machine or platform

Merriam Webster's

abbreviation Portugal

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English & Anglo-French, from Latin portus — more at ford Date: before 12th century 1. a place where ships may ride secure from storms ; haven 2. a. a harbor town or city where ships may take on or discharge cargo b. airport 3. port of entry II. noun Etymology: Middle English porte, from Anglo-French, gate, door, from Latin porta passage, gate; akin to Latin portus port Date: before 12th century 1. chiefly Scottish gate 2. a. an opening (as in a valve seat or valve face) for intake or exhaust of a fluid b. the area of opening in a cylinder face of a passageway for the working fluid in an engine; also such a passageway c. a small opening in a container or vessel especially for viewing or for the controlled passage of material <access port> 3. a. an opening in a vessel's side (as for admitting light or loading cargo) b. archaic the cover for a porthole 4. a hole in an armored vehicle or fortification through which guns may be fired 5. a hardware interface by which a computer is connected to another device (as a printer, a mouse, or another computer); broadly jack 8 III. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from porter to carry, from Latin portare Date: 14th century 1. the manner of bearing oneself 2. archaic state 3 3. the position in which a military weapon is carried at the command port arms IV. transitive verb Etymology: ⁵port Date: 1580 to turn or put (a helm) to the left — used chiefly as a command V. noun Etymology: probably from ¹port or ²port Date: circa 1644 the left side of a ship or aircraft looking forward — called also larboard — compare starboard • port adjective VI. noun Etymology: Oporto, Portugal Date: 1691 a sweet fortified wine of rich taste and aroma made in Portugal; also a similar wine made elsewhere VII. transitive verb Etymology: perhaps from ²port (hardware interface) Date: 1984 to translate (software) into a version for another computer or operating system VIII. abbreviation 1. portable 2. portrait

Oxford Reference Dictionary

1. n. 1 a harbour. 2 a place of refuge. 3 a town or place possessing a harbour, esp. one where customs officers are stationed. Phrases and idioms: port of call a place where a ship or a person stops on a journey. Port of London Authority the corporate body controlling the London harbour and docks. Etymology: OE f. L portus & ME prob. f. OF f. L portus 2. n. (in full port wine) a strong, sweet, dark-red (occas. brown or white) fortified wine of Portugal. Etymology: shortened form of Oporto, city in Portugal from which port is shipped 3. n. & v. --n. the left-hand side (looking forward) of a ship, boat, or aircraft (cf. STARBOARD). --v.tr. (also absol.) turn (the helm) to port. Phrases and idioms: port tack see TACK(1) 4. port watch see WATCH n. 3b. Etymology: prob. orig. the side turned towards PORT(1) 4. n. 1 a an opening in the side of a ship for entrance, loading, etc. b a porthole. 2 an aperture for the passage of steam, water, etc. 3 Electr. a socket or aperture in an electronic circuit, esp. in a computer network, where connections can be made with peripheral equipment. 4 an aperture in a wall etc. for a gun to be fired through. 5 esp. Sc. a gate or gateway, esp. of a walled town. Etymology: ME & OF porte f. L porta 5. v. & n. --v.tr. Mil. carry (a rifle, or other weapon) diagonally across and close to the body with the barrel etc. near the left shoulder (esp. port arms!). --n. 1 Mil. this position. 2 external deportment; carriage; bearing. Etymology: ME f. OF port ult. f. L portare carry 6. n. Austral. 1 a suitcase or travelling bag. 2 a shopping bag, sugar bag, etc. Etymology: abbr. of PORTMANTEAU

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Induction In*duc"tion, n. [L. inductio: cf. F. induction. See Induct.] 1. The act or process of inducting or bringing in; introduction; entrance; beginning; commencement. I know not you; nor am I well pleased to make this time, as the affair now stands, the induction of your acquaintance. --Beau. & Fl. These promises are fair, the parties sure, And our induction dull of prosperous hope. --Shak. 2. An introduction or introductory scene, as to a play; a preface; a prologue. [Obs.] This is but an induction: I will d?aw The curtains of the tragedy hereafter. --Massinger. 3. (Philos.) The act or process of reasoning from a part to a whole, from particulars to generals, or from the individual to the universal; also, the result or inference so reached. Induction is an inference drawn from all the particulars. --Sir W. Hamilton. Induction is the process by which we conclude that what is true of certain individuals of a class, is true of the whole class, or that what is true at certain times will be true in similar circumstances at all times. --J. S. Mill. 4. The introduction of a clergyman into a benefice, or of an official into a office, with appropriate acts or ceremonies; the giving actual possession of an ecclesiastical living or its temporalities. 5. (Math.) A process of demonstration in which a general truth is gathered from an examination of particular cases, one of which is known to be true, the examination being so conducted that each case is made to depend on the preceding one; -- called also successive induction. 6. (Physics) The property by which one body, having electrical or magnetic polarity, causes or induces it in another body without direct contact; an impress of electrical or magnetic force or condition from one body on another without actual contact. Electro-dynamic induction, the action by which a variable or interrupted current of electricity excites another current in a neighboring conductor forming a closed circuit. Electro-magnetic induction, the influence by which an electric current produces magnetic polarity in certain bodies near or around which it passes. Electro-static induction, the action by which a body possessing a charge of statical electricity develops a charge of statical electricity of the opposite character in a neighboring body. Induction coil, an apparatus producing induced currents of great intensity. It consists of a coil or helix of stout insulated copper wire, surrounded by another coil of very fine insulated wire, in which a momentary current is induced, when a current (as from a voltaic battery), passing through the inner coil, is made, broken, or varied. The inner coil has within it a core of soft iron, and is connected at its terminals with a condenser; -- called also inductorium, and Ruhmkorff's coil. Induction pipe, port, or valve, a pipe, passageway, or valve, for leading or admitting a fluid to a receiver, as steam to an engine cylinder, or water to a pump. Magnetic induction, the action by which magnetic polarity is developed in a body susceptible to magnetic effects when brought under the influence of a magnet. Magneto-electric induction, the influence by which a magnet excites electric currents in closed circuits. Logical induction, (Philos.), an act or method of reasoning from all the parts separately to the whole which they constitute, or into which they may be united collectively; the operation of discovering and proving general propositions; the scientific method. Philosophical induction, the inference, or the act of inferring, that what has been observed or established in respect to a part, individual, or species, may, on the ground of analogy, be affirmed or received of the whole to which it belongs. This last is the inductive method of Bacon. It ascends from the parts to the whole, and forms, from the general analogy of nature, or special presumptions in the case, conclusions which have greater or less degrees of force, and which may be strengthened or weakened by subsequent experience and experiment. It relates to actual existences, as in physical science or the concerns of life. Logical induction is founded on the necessary laws of thought; philosophical induction, on the interpretation of the indications or analogy of nature.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Port Port, n. [AS. port, L. portus: cf. F. port. See Farm, v., Ford, and 1st, 3d, & 4h Port.] 1. A place where ships may ride secure from storms; a sheltered inlet, bay, or cove; a harbor; a haven. Used also figuratively.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Port Port, n. [F. porte, L. porta, akin to portus; cf. AS. porte, fr. L. porta. See Port a harbor, and cf. Porte.] 1. A passageway; an opening or entrance to an inclosed place; a gate; a door; a portal. [Archaic] Him I accuse The city ports by this hath entered. --Shak. Form their ivory port the cherubim Forth issuing. --Milton. 2. (Naut.) An opening in the side of a vessel; an embrasure through which cannon may be discharged; a porthole; also, the shutters which close such an opening. Her ports being within sixteen inches of the water. --Sir W. Raleigh. 3. (Mach.) A passageway in a machine, through which a fluid, as steam, water, etc., may pass, as from a valve to the interior of the cylinder of a steam engine; an opening in a valve seat, or valve face. Air port, Bridle port, etc. See under Air, Bridle, etc. Port bar (Naut.), a bar to secure the ports of a ship in a gale. Port lid (Naut.), a lid or hanging for closing the portholes of a vessel. Steam port, & Exhaust port (Steam Engine), the ports of the cylinder communicating with the valve or valves, for the entrance or exit of the steam, respectively.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Port Port, n. [From Oporto, in Portugal, i. e., ? porto the port, L. portus. See Port harbor.] A dark red or purple astringent wine made in Portugal. It contains a large percentage of alcohol.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Port Port, v. t. (Naut.) To turn or put to the left or larboard side of a ship; -- said of the helm, and used chiefly in the imperative, as a command; as, port your helm.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Port Port, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ported; p. pr. & vb. n. Porting.] [F. porter, L. portare to carry. See Port demeanor.] 1. To carry; to bear; to transport. [Obs.] They are easily ported by boat into other shires. --Fuller. 2. (Mil.) To throw, as a musket, diagonally across the body, with the lock in front, the right hand grasping the small of the stock, and the barrel sloping upward and crossing the point of the left shoulder; as, to port arms. Began to hem him round with ported spears. --Milton. Port arms, a position in the manual of arms, executed as above.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Port Port, n. [F. port, fr. porter to carry, L. portare, prob. akin to E. fare, v. See Port harbor, and cf. Comport, Export, Sport.] The manner in which a person bears himself; deportment; carriage; bearing; demeanor; hence, manner or style of living; as, a proud port. --Spenser. And of his port as meek as is a maid. --Chaucer. The necessities of pomp, grandeur, and a suitable port in the world. --South.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Port Port, n. [Etymology uncertain.] (Naut.) The larboard or left side of a ship (looking from the stern toward the bow); as, a vessel heels to port. See Note under Larboard. Also used adjectively.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(ports) Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English. 1. A port is a town by the sea or on a river, which has a harbour. Port-Louis is an attractive little fishing port. ...the Mediterranean port of Marseilles. N-COUNT 2. A port is a harbour area where ships load and unload goods or passengers. ...the bridges which link the port area to the city centre. N-COUNT: oft N n 3. A port on a computer is a place where you can attach another piece of equipment, for example a printer. (COMPUTING) N-COUNT 4. In sailing, the port side of a ship is the left side when you are on it and facing towards the front. (TECHNICAL) Her official number is carved on the port side of the forecabin. ? starboard ADJ • Port is also a noun. USS Ogden turned to port. ? starboard N-UNCOUNT: usu to N 5. Port is a type of strong, sweet red wine. He asked for a glass of port after dinner.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. 1. Harbor, haven, roadstead, anchorage. 2. Entrance, passage-way, gate, door. 3. Embrasure, port-hole. 4. Larboard, left side. 5. Demeanor, behavior, bearing, air, presence, mien, carriage, deportment, appearance. 6. Port-wine.

Moby Thesaurus

Gospel side, action, actions, activity, acts, address, aerodrome, affectation, air, air base, airdrome, airfield, airport, anchorage, anchorage ground, aport, asylum, avenue, basin, bay, bay window, bearing, behavior, behavior pattern, behavioral norm, behavioral science, berth, bird sanctuary, blowhole, bourn, bow window, breakwater, brow, bulkhead, cantorial side, carriage, casement, casement window, cast, cast of countenance, channel, chuck, chute, color, complexion, comportment, conduct, countenance, counterclockwise, cover, covert, culture pattern, custom, debouch, demeanor, deportment, destination, dock, dockage, dockyard, doing, doings, door, dry dock, egress, embankment, emunctory, escape, estuary, exhaust, exit, face, facial appearance, fan window, fanlight, favor, feature, features, field, floodgate, flume, folkway, forest preserve, game preserve, game sanctuary, garb, gestures, goal, goings-on, grille, groin, guise, harbor, harbor of refuge, harborage, haven, heliport, island, jetty, jutty, lancet window, landing, landing field, landing place, landing stage, lantern, larboard, last stop, lattice, left, left hand, left wing, left-hand, left-hand side, left-wing, left-winger, left-wingish, leftward, leftwardly, leftwards, levorotatory, liberal, light, lineaments, lines, looks, loophole, louver window, maintien, manner, manners, marina, method, methodology, methods, mien, modus vivendi, mole, mooring, moorings, motions, movements, moves, near, near side, nigh, observable behavior, on the left, opening, oriel, out, outcome, outfall, outgate, outgo, outlet, pane, pattern, physiognomy, picture window, pier, poise, pore, port tack, porthole, portside, pose, posture, practice, praxis, presence, preserve, procedure, proceeding, protected anchorage, quay, radical, refuge, retreat, riding, road, roads, roadstead, rose window, safe haven, safehold, sally port, sanctuary, seaport, seawall, set, shipyard, sinister, sinistrad, sinistral, sinistrally, sinistrocerebral, sinistrocular, sinistrogyrate, sinistrorse, skylight, slip, sluice, snug harbor, social science, spiracle, spout, stance, stop, stopping place, stronghold, style, tactics, tap, terminal, terminal point, terminus, to the left, tone, traits, transom, turn, vent, ventage, venthole, verso, visage, vomitory, way, way of life, way out, ways, weir, wharf, wicket, window, window bay, window glass, windowpane, wrong side