E. Cobham Brewer 18101897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| Warp (To). | |
A sea term, meaning to shift the position of a vessel. This is done by means of a rope called a warp. Kedging is when the warp is bent to a kedge, which is let go, and the vessel is hove ahead by the capstan. | 1 |
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Of Amrams son [Moses], in Egypts evil day, |
Waved round the coast, up-called a pitchy cloud |
Of locusts, warping [shifting about] in the eastern wind. | |
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Milton: Paradise Lost, i. 338. |
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In Lancashire, warping means laying eggs; and boys, on finding a birds nest, will askAnd how many eggs has she warped? | 2 |
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