taffrail

American  

[taf-reyl, -ruhl] / ˈtæfˌreɪl, -rəl /

noun

Nautical.

1. the upper part of the stern of a ship.

2. a rail above the stern of a ship.

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taffrail British  

/ ˈtæfˌreɪl /

noun

1. a rail at the stern or above the transom of a vessel

2. the upper part of the transom of a vessel, esp a sailing vessel, often ornately decorated

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Etymology

Origin of taffrail

1805–15; syncopated variant of taffarel; -ai- spelling Dutch -ee-

Example Sentences

Fresh-faced, slender, ebullient, radiating confidence, she was a dazzling figure in a swirling cotillion or at the taffrail of a steamer.

From New York Times • Mar. 17, 2014

I staggered to the side on watery legs, straddled the taffrail, and looked down.

From Time Magazine Archive

At the Spithead naval review of 1897, a trim ship some 100 feet long with Turbinia on her taffrail was observed by irate officials to be cutting deliberately across the bows of the royal yacht.

From Time Magazine Archive

Enterprise had slipped away in the low breeze like a bird and, running far in the lead, hung over her taffrail in mockery her harbor sign, "Please Keep Astern."

From Time Magazine Archive

Don Martin leaned upon the taffrail, watching the dim littoral, until it melted from his sight and only the black cordillera in the background cut against the sky.

From The Coast of Adventure by Bindloss, Harold