mooring buoy

Variant of buoy

buoy definition

buoy (bo̵̅o̅ē; also, and for v. 3 usually, bo̵i)

noun

    1. a floating object anchored in a lake, river, etc. to mark a channel, warn of a hazard, etc., variously shaped and colored, and often equipped with a bell or light
    2. a similar but larger and heavier object, usually with a ring on top, to which a ship can be moored
      in full mooring buoy
  1. life buoy

Etymology: ME < (? via MDu boeie) OFr buie, chain < L boia, fetter (see boy): prob. first applied to the chain anchoring the float

transitive verb

  1. to mark or provide with a buoy
  2. to keep afloat: usually with up
  3. to lift up or keep up in spirits; encourage: usually with up

Etymology: < Sp boyar, to float

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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