oary

[ awr-ee, ohr-ee ]

adjective

, Archaic.

1. oarlike.

Word History and Origins

Origin of oary¹

First recorded in 1660–70; oar + -y ¹

Example Sentences

But yet nature has an awkward way of mocking at our impossibilities; and it may be that green-haired maidens with oary tails lurk in the ocean caves, and keep mirrors and combs upon their rocky shelves.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, as now, ‘the sooty hulk steered sluggish on,’ while ‘The splendid barge Row’d, regular, to harmony; around, The boat, light-skimming, stretched its oary wings.’

From Project Gutenberg

You must not think me infected with the spirit of Lauder, if I give you another of Milton's Imitations: ——The Swan with arched neck Between her white wings mantling proudly, rows Her state with oary feet.—B.

From Project Gutenberg

In one place it is known as "Cam a teerie arrie ma torry;" in another, "Come a theory, oary mathorie;" in yet another, "Come a theerie, Come a thorie;" or it may be, as in Perthshire, "My theerie and my thorie."

From Project Gutenberg

For no ships crimson-prow’d the Cyclops own, Nor naval artizan is there, whose toil Might furnish them with oary barks, by which Subsists all distant commerce, and which bear Man o’er the Deep to cities far remote Who might improve the peopled isle, that seems Not steril in itself, but apt to yield, In their due season, fruits of ev’ry kind.

From Project Gutenberg