nameboard

[ neym-bawrd, -bohrd ]

noun

1. a signboard that identifies a place or object.
2. a name painted, stenciled, etc., on something, as on the side of a ship.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nameboard¹

First recorded in 1840–50; name + board

Example Sentences

“Twenty years ago, even 15 years ago, that site would have been clean. Now you can’t even recognize the bell. You can’t see the nameboard. If you brush those mussels off, it tears the wood off with it.”

From Seattle Times

On Tuesday the nameboard of a boat was picked up, and this was all that ever we heard of her.”

From Project Gutenberg

On again through the jungle our train passed for another eight miles, and then drew up at a small station of one low, stone building with a nameboard nearly as big as itself, which bore the words "Buxa Road."

From Project Gutenberg

According to Mackay, the sight of a Gaelic nameboard far from his home in Lewis "refreshes a part of my soul" and reminds him of Gaelic's fullest extent.

From The Guardian

One, observing the play of my fingers reflected in the nameboard, called in great exultation to her companions.

From Project Gutenberg