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Abeam
//əˈbiːm// adj, adv, prep
Definitions
Adjective
- 1 Alongside or abreast; opposite the center of the side of the ship or aircraft.
"The island was directly abeam of us."
- 2 Beaming, shining (especially with reference to a person's face or eyes). not-comparable
"1876, William Davidson, Sermons on the Parables, Cincinnati: Western Tract Society, Sermon 1, p. 41, […] the hearts of the saints [will] be all attention and their faces all abeam for the consolation;"
Adverb
- 1 On the beam; at a right angle to the centerline or keel of a vessel or aircraft; being at a bearing approximately 90° or 270° relative.
"We were heading S.S.W., and had a steady breeze abeam and a quiet sea."
- 2 Alongside or abreast; opposite the center of the side of the ship or aircraft.
Adverb
- 1 at right angles to the length of a ship or airplane wordnet
Preposition
- 1 Alongside.
"She came abeam the crippled ship."
Etymology
Etymology 1
From a- (“in the direction of”) + beam (“keel”).
Etymology 2
From a- (“in the direction of”) + beam (“keel”).
Etymology 3
From a- (“in the direction of”) + beam (“keel”).
Etymology 4
From a- + beam (“to emit beams of light”).
See also for "abeam"
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Unscramble this word: abeam