apeak

or a·peek

[ uh-peek ]

adjective

1. more or less vertical.
2. (of a dropped anchor) as nearly vertical as possible without being free of the bottom.
3. (of an anchored vessel) having the anchor cable as nearly vertical as possible without freeing the anchor.

adverb

1. vertically.

apeak

/ əˈpiːk /

adverb

1. nautical in a vertical or almost vertical position

   with the oars apeak

Word History and Origins

Origin of apeak¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; a- ¹ + peak ¹

Example Sentences

The anchor in apeak, when the cable has been sufficiently hove in to bring the ship over it, and the ship is them said to be hove apeak.

From Project Gutenberg

At half-past ten Long Tom thundered a reminder to Mr. Crawley that his time was up, and before the echoes died away, the trader's anchor was apeak and his sails were dropping sulkily to the breeze.

From Project Gutenberg

"Anchor apeak, sir!" shouted Boatswain Longstone, who was doing duty as second lieutenant.

From Project Gutenberg

Even the blacks we had on board lent a hand, and no sooner was the anchor apeak than away went the boats, and the ship moved slowly out to sea.

From Project Gutenberg

The anchor was apeak, and with the land breeze filling her sails, she ran over the bar and stood out to sea.

From Project Gutenberg