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pinnace Definition

pin·nace (pinis)

noun

  1. Archaic a small sailing ship, often one used as a tender to a larger ship
  2. a ship's boat

Etymology: Fr pinasse < Sp pinaza < VL *pinacea < L pinus, pine

pinnace Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • small: To aid him in his design he had brought three small pinnaces ( small, shallow draft sailing vessels ) from England.

Noun used with modifier

  • steam: We were intrigued to see what looked like an old naval steam pinnace drawn up on the shore, apparently rotting away.
pinnace Quotes

At Flores in the Azores Sir Richard Grenville lay, And a pinnace, like a fluttered bird, came flying from far away: 'Spanishships of warat sea! Wehavesighted fifty-three!' Then sware Lord Thomas Howard: ''Fore God I am no coward; But I cannot meetthem here, for my ships are out of gear, And the half my men are sick. I must fly, but followquick. Wearesix ships oftheline; canwefight withfifty-three?' Then spake Sir Richard Grenville: 'I know you are no coward; You fly them for a moment to fight with them again. But I've ninety men and more that are lying sick ashore. I should count myself the coward if I left them, my Lord Howard, To these Inquisition dogs and the devildoms of Spain.' So Lord Howard passed away with five ships of war that day, Till he melted like a cloud in the silent summer heaven.

—Tennyson

I cannot tell where you should look for me, if you send out any pinnace to seek me; because I live at the devotion of the wind and seas. And thus fare you well; desiring God to send us a merry meeting in this world, if it be his good will and pleasure.

—Lancaster, SirJames

Browse dictionary entries near pinnace

  1. pinna
  2. pinky
  3. pinkster flower
  4. Pinkster
  5. pinkroot
  6. pinko
  7. pinking shears
  8. pinkie
  9. pinkeye
  10. Pinkerton
  1. pinnacle
  2. pinnate
  3. pinnati-
  4. pinnatifid
  5. pinnatisect
  6. pinner
  7. pinniped
  8. pinnule
  9. pinny
  10. pinochle