abeam etymology

Etymology

The word "abeam" derives from two Old English words:

• a (meaning "away from")
• beam (meaning "tree or beam")

Meaning

Abeam means:

• In a line perpendicular to the length of a ship or aircraft.
• Directly opposite or alongside something.

Origin

The term "abeam" originated in sailing. In the days of sailing ships, the "beam" of a ship was the widest part of the hull. When a ship was at right angles to another ship, it was said to be "abeam" of it. This was considered a safe and convenient position for passing or communicating with the other ship.

Over time, the term "abeam" came to be used in other contexts, including aviation and navigation, to describe positions or directions perpendicular to the direction of travel.

abeam relate terms

• beam

  Etymology The word beam has several different origins Old English bēam log tre

• aware

  Etymology The word aware is derived from the Middle English word awere which in turn

• accursed

  Etymology The word accursed comes from the Late Latin word accursus which means to ru

• allay

  Etymology The word allay comes from the Old English word alegian meaning to reliev

• affright

  Etymology Old French affraier Late Latin exfrigidare meaning to cool or frighten L

• precipitate

  Etymology Late Latin praecipitat praecipitatus past participle of praecipitare to h

• arrogance

  Etymology Origin Latin arrogare to claim for oneself to appropriate Meaning An exa

• ginger

  Etymology Middle English gingivere gingyvere Old French gingembre Latin zingiber Sa

• contentment

  Etymology Old French contentement from Late Latin contēntum neuter past participle

• character

  Character Etymology Meaning and Origin Etymology The word character derives from th

• flamboyant

  Etymology The word flamboyant is derived from the Old French word flamboier meaning

• revolution

  Etymology Latin revolutio a rolling back return revolution re back again

• conspicuous

  Etymology Conspicuous originates from the Latin word conspicuus which means visible

• cantankerous

  Etymology The word cantankerous is derived from the Middle English word contankerous

• accommodate

  Etymology Latin accommodare meaning to adjust adapt conform Root commodus m