galley

[ gal-ee ]

noun

, plural gal·leys.

1. a kitchen or an area with kitchen facilities in a ship, plane, or camper.
2. Nautical.
   1. a seagoing vessel propelled mainly by oars, used in ancient and medieval times, sometimes with the aid of sails.
   2. a long rowboat, as one used as a ship's boat by a warship or one used for dragging a seine.
   3. (formerly, in the U.S. Navy) a shoal-draft vessel, variously rigged, relying mainly on its sails but able to be rowed by sweeps.
3. Printing.
   1. a long, narrow tray, usually of metal, for holding type that has been set.
   2. galley proof.
   3. a rough unit of measurement, about 22 inches (56 centimeters), for type composition.

galley

/ ˈɡælɪ /

noun

1. any of various kinds of ship propelled by oars or sails used in ancient or medieval times as a warship or as a trader
2. the kitchen of a ship, boat, or aircraft
3. any of various long rowing boats
4. printing
   1. (in hot-metal composition) a tray open at one end for holding composed type
   2. short for galley proof

Other Words From

• galley·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of galley¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English galei(e), from Old French galee, galie, perhaps from Old Provençal galea, from Late Greek galéa, galaía

Word History and Origins

Origin of galley¹

C13: from Old French galie, from Medieval Latin galea, from Greek galaia, of unknown origin; the sense development apparently is due to the association of a galley or slave ship with a ship's kitchen and hence with a hot furnace, trough, printer's tray, etc