Rowlocks

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A pair of pivoting devices that hold the oars in place on a boat while allowing for their movement
2. pivot points that enable rowing by securing oars to the gunwales of a vessel
3. fittings that stabilize oars, facilitating effective rowing motions while preventing them from slipping out of position

Etymology: The surprise here is that the "row" in "rowlock" has nothing to do with rowing a boat in the sense of a row of seats or a line. It is a respelling. The word began as "oarlock," built from Old English "ārlōc," which joined "ār" (oar) and "lōc" (a lock, in the sense of a fastening or enclosure). A rowlock is, in effect, a fitting that locks an oar in place so it can pivot against the boat's side. Over time speakers began to hear the first syllable as "row," the verb meaning to propel a boat with oars, which suited the thing it held. The spelling shifted to match, and "rowlock" became the standard form, even though the older "oarlock" still preserves the original sense. The plural "rowlocks" is simply the usual plural of this noun, so the history above applies to both forms.

Synonyms: oarlocks, locks, supports, mounts, brackets