Library / English Dictionary

ASTERN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adverb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

(of a ship or an airplane) behind

Example:

we dropped her astern on the end of a seven-inch manilla, and she laid comfortably on the ebb tide

Classified under:

Adverbs

Domain category:

aeroplane; airplane; plane (an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets)

ship (a vessel that carries passengers or freight)

Sense 2

Meaning:

At or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane

Example:

the captain looked astern to see what the fuss was about

Synonyms:

abaft; aft; astern

Classified under:

Adverbs

Sense 3

Meaning:

Stern foremost or backward

Example:

the steamer went astern at half speed

Classified under:

Adverbs

Credits

 Context examples: 

I took a fresh hold on my bedclothes and was preparing to start on, when some movement caught my eye and I looked astern to the rail.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

But this time he missed by forty feet, the boat passing astern.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Wolf Larsen was smoking a cigar and examining the patent log which the Ghost usually towed astern, but which had been hauled in for some purpose.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

All day we sailed, and all night, and the next day, and the next, day after day, the wind always astern and blowing steadily and strong.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

“When running more freely, with the wind astern abeam, or on the quarter, it will be necessary for me to steer.”

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Again there was a puff of smoke and a loud report, this time the cannon-ball striking not more than twenty feet astern and glancing twice from sea to sea to windward ere it sank.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Then they were gone astern.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

I came on deck, after a good night’s rest in spite of my poor knee, to find the Ghost foaming along, wing-and-wing, and every sail drawing except the jibs, with a fresh breeze astern.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Dead astern, sir.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

“If I raised never a hand for that poor fool,”—pointing astern to the tiny sail,—“d’ye think I’m hungerin’ for a broken head for a woman I never laid me eyes upon before this day?”

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)