gangway
pronunciation
How to pronounce gangway in British English:
UK [ˈgæŋweɪ]
How to pronounce gangway in American English:
US [ˈɡæŋˌwe]
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- Noun:
- a temporary passageway of planks (as over mud on a building site)
- a temporary bridge for getting on and off a vessel at dockside
- passageway between seating areas as in an auditorium or passenger vehicle or between areas of shelves of goods as in stores
Word Origin
- gangway (n.)
- "temporary passageway" to a ship, building under construction, etc., ultimately from Old English gangweg "road, passage, thoroughfare;" a compound of gang (n.) in its original sense "a going, journey, way, passage" and way (n.). Nautical use dates from 1680s in reference to a passage on the ship, from 1780 of the opening at the side whereby people enter and leave, and by 1840s of the board or bridge they use to get to and from the dock. As a command to clear way, attested by 1912, American English. In British parliamentary use, with somewhat the same sense aisle has in the U.S. Congress. Below the g[angway], as a parliamentary phrase, is applied to members whose customary seat does not imply close association with the official policy of the party on whose side of the House they sit. [Fowler]
Synonym
Example
- 1. German chancellor angela merkel had to wait on the gangway of her plane after landing at prague airport , while soldiers adjusted the red carpet .
- 2. You get me up on that gangway .
- 3. The first mate is a cruel fellow ; if you give him a word , you 'll be brought to the gangway .
- 4. You turned back up the gangway of the steel tomb again .
- 5. World is out there , nothing but a gangway .