kentledge

[ kent-lij ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. pig iron used as permanent ballast.

kentledge

/ ˈkɛntlɪdʒ /

noun

1. nautical scrap metal used as ballast in a vessel

Word History and Origins

Origin of kentledge¹

First recorded in 1600–10; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of kentledge¹

C17: perhaps from Old French quintelage ballast, from quintal hundredweight, ultimately from Arabic qintār; see kantar

Example Sentences

Captain Biddle then ordered the remaining anchors cut away, the cables heaved overboard, together with more kentledge, shot, provision, the launch and six guns.

From Project Gutenberg

The ward-room was then scuttled to get at the kentledge, twelve tons of which were thrown overboard.

From Project Gutenberg

The nets, booms, kentledge, and grapnels which he arranged around the Argus made a formidable appearance against one torpedo-boat and eight bad oarsmen.

From Project Gutenberg

Though "every inch a sailor," it must not be supposed that Captain Kentledge was in the constant habit of interlarding his conversation with sea-terms; a practice which, if it ever actually prevailed to the extent that has been represented in fictitious delineations of "the sons of the wild and warring wave," has long since been discontinued in real life, by all nautical men who have any pretensions to the title of gentlemen.

From Project Gutenberg

He drank tea at Franchimeau's last evening, and paid a long visit at the house this morning; and Emilie, their mulatto girl, told Mrs. Pinxton's Mary, and my Phillis had it direct from her, that she overheard Miss Robertine, persuading Captain Kentledge to have his queue cut off.

From Project Gutenberg