Deck \Deck\, n. [D. dek. See Deck, v.]
1. The floorlike covering of the horizontal sections, or
compartments, of a ship. Small vessels have only one deck;
larger ships have two or three decks.
Note: The following are the more common names of the decks of
vessels having more than one.
Berth deck (Navy), a deck next below the gun deck, where
the hammocks of the crew are swung.
Boiler deck (River Steamers), the deck on which the boilers
are placed.
Flush deck, any continuous, unbroken deck from stem to
stern.
Gun deck (Navy), a deck below the spar deck, on which the
ship's guns are carried. If there are two gun decks, the
upper one is called the main deck, the lower, the lower
gun deck; if there are three, one is called the middle gun
deck.
Half-deck, that portion of the deck next below the spar
deck which is between the mainmast and the cabin.
Hurricane deck (River Steamers, etc.), the upper deck,
usually a light deck, erected above the frame of the hull.
Orlop deck, the deck or part of a deck where the cables are
stowed, usually below the water line.
Poop deck, the deck forming the roof of a poop or poop
cabin, built on the upper deck and extending from the
mizzenmast aft.
Quarter-deck, the part of the upper deck abaft the
mainmast, including the poop deck when there is one.
Spar deck.
(a) Same as the upper deck.
(b) Sometimes a light deck fitted over the upper deck.
Upper deck, the highest deck of the hull, extending from
stem to stern.
2. (arch.) The upper part or top of a mansard roof or curb
roof when made nearly flat.
3. (Railroad) The roof of a passenger car.
4. A pack or set of playing cards.
The king was slyly fingered from the deck. --Shak.
5. A heap or store. [Obs.]
Who . . . hath such trinkets Ready in the deck.
--Massinger.
Between decks. See under Between.
Deck bridge (Railroad Engineering), a bridge which carries
the track upon the upper chords; -- distinguished from a
through bridge, which carries the track upon the lower
chords, between the girders.
Deck curb (Arch.), a curb supporting a deck in roof
construction.
Deck floor (Arch.), a floor which serves also as a roof, as
of a belfry or balcony.
Deck hand, a sailor hired to help on the vessel's deck, but
not expected to go aloft.
Deck molding (Arch.), the molded finish of the edge of a
deck, making the junction with the lower slope of the
roof.
Deck roof (Arch.), a nearly flat roof which is not
surmounted by parapet walls.
Deck transom (Shipbuilding), the transom into which the
deck is framed.
To clear the decks (Naut.), to remove every unnecessary
incumbrance in preparation for battle; to prepare for
action.
To sweep the deck (Card Playing), to clear off all the
stakes on the table by winning them.
Quarter-deck \Quar"ter-deck`\, n. (Naut.)
That part of the upper deck abaft the mainmast, including the
poop deck when there is one.
Note: The quarter-deck is reserved as a promenade for the
officers and (in passenger vessels) for the cabin
passengers.
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