gunnel

¹

[ guhn-l ]

noun

1. any small eellike blenny of the family Pholididae (Pholidae), especially Pholis gunnellus rock gunnel, orbutterfish, common in shallow waters of the North Atlantic.

gunnel

²

[ guhn-l ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. gunwale.

gunnel

¹

/ ˈɡʌnəl /

noun

1. a variant spelling of gunwale

gunnel

²

/ ˈɡʌnəl /

noun

1. any eel-like blennioid fish of the family Pholidae, occurring in coastal regions of northern seas See also butterfish

Word History and Origins

Origin of gunnel¹

First recorded in 1680–90; origin uncertain

Origin of gunnel²

1425–75; Middle English. See gunwale

Word History and Origins

Origin of gunnel¹

C15: from gun + wale ¹from its use to support guns

Origin of gunnel²

C17: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The last boats to lift anchor from Crimea were stuffed to the gunnels with refugees.

From New York Times

“After about 10 seconds of fighting the giant fish on his own he was pulled down to the gunnel and was lifted overboard by the giant fish,” Chancey said.

From Fox News

I jammed my feet against the gunnels and pulled as hard as I could.

From Literature

In a review in The New York Times, Christopher Lehmann-Haupt wrote: “Reading ‘The English Patient,’ you hold on to the gunnel and your hat at the start.

From New York Times

Selwood radioed the Evans Head coast guard and stayed on the gunnel until a rescue boat arrived.

From Seattle Times