brig etymology

Etymology

The word "brig" is derived from the Middle English term "brigge" or "brigg," which itself has its origins in the Old Norse word "bryggja," meaning "bridge."

Meaning and Origin

A brig is a sailing vessel with two masts, each of which is rigged with square sails. The foremast is taller than the mainmast, and both masts are crossed by yards that carry the sails.

Originally, the term "brig" referred to a bridge or platform that projected from the side of a ship and served as a loading or unloading area. Over time, the word came to be used for a small sailing vessel with a raised platform or bridge on its deck. By the 18th century, the term had become established specifically for a two-masted sailing ship with square sails.

Brigs were popular vessels for both commercial and naval purposes. They were relatively inexpensive to build and operate, and their shallow draft allowed them to navigate shallow waters. Brigs were used for transporting cargo, raiding enemy shipping, and supporting naval fleets.

Some notable brigs include:

  • The brigantine "Hopewell": This brig was commanded by Captain James Cook during his voyage to the Pacific Ocean in 1768.
  • The brig "Nancy": This brig was captured by the British during the American Revolutionary War and used as a privateer.
  • The brig "Young Teazer": This brig was a famous American privateer commanded by Captain John Paul Jones.

brig relate terms

  • brigantine

    Etymology From the Old French brigantin a type of light armored vessel Ultimately

  • brigade

    Etymology Old French brigade Vulgar Latin brigata group of soldiers troop Celtic

  • brigand

    Etymology French brigand Italian brigante Medieval Latin briganta Late Latin briga

  • aggravate

    Etymology From Latin aggravare meaning to weigh down make heavier Derived from ad

  • aggravation

    Etymology French aggraver to make worse irritate Latin aggravāre to make heavy

  • aggrieve

    Etymology From Middle English agreven from Anglo Norman agrever from Old French agrev

  • bariatric

    Etymology The word bariatric comes from the Greek words baros βάρος weight

  • baritone

    Etymology Late Middle English 14th century from Italian baritono from Greek barys

  • barium

    Etymology Barium derives its name from the Greek word barys which means heavy Mea

  • barometer

    Etymology The word barometer is derived from the Greek words baros weight pressure

  • blitzkrieg

    Etymology and Meaning Blitzkrieg is a German compound word that consists of Blitz li

  • brig

    Etymology The word brig is derived from the Middle English term brigge or brigg wh

  • brigade

    Etymology Old French brigade Vulgar Latin brigata group of soldiers troop Celtic

  • brigand

    Etymology French brigand Italian brigante Medieval Latin briganta Late Latin briga

  • brigantine

    Etymology From the Old French brigantin a type of light armored vessel Ultimately

  • brio

    Etymology The word brio derives from the Italian noun brìo which in turn comes fro

  • brut

    Etymology The word brut has multiple etymological origins Old English brūt or b

  • brute

    Etymology The word brute is derived from the Old French word brute which in turn com

  • gravamen

    Etymology The word gravamen comes from the Latin word gravare which means to weigh

  • grave

    Etymology The word grave has its roots in the Latin word gravis which means heavy

  • gravid

    Etymology The word gravid comes from the Latin word gravidus which means heavy wit

  • gravimeter

    Etymology The word gravimeter is derived from two Latin roots gravis meaning heavy

  • gravitate

    Etymology The word gravitate originates from the Latin word gravis which means heav

  • gravity

    Etymology The word gravity is derived from the Middle English word gravite which in

  • grief

    Etymology The word grief derives from the Old French word grever meaning to cause

  • grieve

    Etymology Old French grever to harm burden oppress Origin Late Latin gravare to

  • kriegspiel

    Etymology From German Kriegsspiel war game Krieg war Spiel game Meaning

  • guru

    Etymology The word guru originates from the Sanskrit language It is derived from two S

  • hyperbaric

    Etymology The term hyperbaric derives from the Greek words hyper meaning above

  • isobar

    Etymology Isobar comes from two Greek words iso equal baros weight Meaning

  • quern

    Etymology Meaning and Origin of Quern Etymology The word quern originates from th

  • sitzkrieg

    Etymology From French Sitzkrieg literally sitting war from German Sitzkrieg liter

  • panicky

    Etymology Origin Late 18th century Source From Late Latin panicus belonging to the go

  • firecracker

    Etymology The word firecracker is a compound noun derived from two words Fire Refe

  • hermaphrodite

    Etymology The term hermaphrodite derives from Greek mythology Herma God of boundar

  • martyr

    Etymology The word martyr originates from the Greek word μάρτυς martys whic

  • restaurant

    Etymology The word restaurant comes from the French verb restaurer which means to

  • pristine

    Etymology Origin French pristine from Latin pristinus meaning former ancient Root

  • pregnant

    Etymology The word pregnant originates from the Latin word praegnans which means b

  • retrieve

    Etymology The word etymology is derived from the Greek word etymos which means true

  • continent

    Etymology The word continent comes from the Latin word continens which means holdin

  • portmanteau

    Etymology and Origin The word portmanteau is derived from French where it means sui