01 n An implement for impelling a boat, being a slender piece of timber, usually ash or spruce, with a grip or handle at one end and a broad bla…
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1.
An implement for impelling a boat, being a slender piece of timber, usually ash or spruce, with a grip or handle at one end and a broad blade at the other. The part which rests in the rowlock is called the loom.
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2.
An oarsman; a rower; as, he is a good oar.
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3.
An oarlike swimming organ of various invertebrates.(Zool.)
Phrases & compounds
Oar cock —
the water rail.
Spoon oar —
an oar having the blade so curved as to afford a better hold upon the water in rowing.
To boat the oars —
to cease rowing, and lay the oars in the boat.
To feather the oars —
See under Feather.
To lie on the oars —
to cease pulling, raising the oars out of water, but not boating them; to cease from work of any kind; to be idle; to rest.
To muffle the oars —
to put something round that part which rests in the rowlock, to prevent noise in rowing.
To put in one's oar —
to give aid or advice; -- commonly used of a person who obtrudes aid or counsel not invited.
To ship the oars —
to place them in the rowlocks.
To toss the oars —
To peak the oars, to lift them from the rowlocks and hold them perpendicularly, the handle resting on the bottom of the boat.
To trail oars —
to allow them to trail in the water alongside of the boat.
To unship the oars —
to take them out of the rowlocks.