Question

The following words used in the text as ship terminology are also commonly used in another sense. In what context would you use the other meaning?

knot

stern

boom

hatch

anchor

Answer 1

1. Knot:

(a)in string/rope: a joint made by tying together two pieces or ends of string, rope etc. e.g. to tie a knot.

(b)of hair: a way of twisting hair into a small round shape at the back of the head: e.g. She had her hair in a loose knot.

(c) In wood: a hard round spot in a piece of wood where there was once a branch.

(d) Group of people: a small group of people standing close together e.g. Little knots of students had gathered at the gate,

(e) of muscles: a tight, hard feeling in the stomach, throat etc. caused by nerves, anger, etc.

2. Stem:

(a) e.g. I could feel a knot of fear in my throat, serious and often disapproving; expecting somebody to obey you: e.g. His voice was stem.

(b) serious and difficult: e.g. we faced stem opposition.

3. Boom:

(a) In Business/Economy: a sudden increase in trade and economic activity, a period of wealth and success, e.g. a boom in mobile phone sales.

(b) Popular period, a period when something such as a sport or a type of music suddenly becomes very popular and successful, e.g. The only way to satisfy the cricket boom was to provide more playgrounds.

(c) Sound, a loud deep sound, e.g. the distant boom of the guns.

(d) In river/harbour, a floating barrier that is placed across a river or the entrance to a harbour to prevent ships or other objects from coming in or going out.

(e) For Microphone, a long pole that carries a microphone.

4. Hatch:

(a) an opening in a wall between two rooms, especially a kitchen and a dining room, through which food can be passed, e.g. a serving hatch.

(b) a door in an aircraft or a spacecraft, e.g.

(c) an escape hatch an opening or a door in a floor or ceiling, e.g. a hatch to the attic,

(d) to make a young bird, fish, insect, etc. come out of an egg,

(e) to create a plan or idea, especially in secret, a person or thing that gives somebody a feeling of safety, e.g. the anchor of the family.

5.Anchor:

(a) to fix something firmly in position so that it cannot move, e.g. Make sure the apparatus is securely anchored.

(b) to firmly base something on something else, e.g. Munshi Prem Chands novels are anchored in rural life.

(c) to be the person who introduces reports or reads the news on television or radio, e.g. She anchored the evening news for five years.