rowlock

[ roh-lok; Nautical rol-uhk, ruhl- ]

noun

1. Architecture. one of several concentric rings of masonry forming an arch.
2. a brick laid on edge, especially as a header. Compare soldier ( def 7 ).
3. Chiefly British. oarlock.

rowlock

/ ˈrɒlək /

noun

1. a swivelling device attached to the gunwale of a boat that holds an oar in place and acts as a fulcrum during rowing Usual US and Canadian wordoarlock

Word History and Origins

Origin of rowlock¹

1740–50; variant of oarlock; row ²

Example Sentences

Bono had, through his exertions—the boat being well nigh intractable, now swamped—snapped off the rowlock and a stave of the gunwale, wet with rot.

From Literature

On rowlock brick, like you see under your door threshold, the problem is even more severe because the mortar joints are facing the sky.

From Washington Post

One of the places flashings are a must is under rowlock brick, as you have in the photo you sent.

From Washington Post

If the oars are pulled in rowlocks, the bottom of the rowlock is to be considered as the gunwale in measuring the depth of the boat.

From Project Gutenberg

Outrigger, owt′rig-ėr, n. a projecting spar for extending sails or any part of the rigging: a projecting contrivance ending in a float fixed to the side of a canoe against capsizing: an iron bracket fixed to the outside of a boat carrying a rowlock at its extremity to increase the leverage of the oar: a light racing-boat with projecting rowlocks.

From Project Gutenberg