HAWSER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does hawser mean? 

• HAWSER (noun)
  The noun HAWSER has 1 sense:

1. large heavy rope for nautical use

  Familiarity information: HAWSER used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HAWSER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Large heavy rope for nautical use

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("hawser" is a kind of...):

rope (a strong line)

 Context examples 

It seemed shallow enough, and holding the cut hawser in both hands for a last security, I let myself drop softly overboard.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Usually she speaks on a hint; but this time the Professor had to ask her questions, and to ask them pretty resolutely, before we could learn anything; at last her answer came:—I can see nothing; we are still; there are no waves lapping, but only a steady swirl of water softly running against the hawser.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

So far so good, but it next occurred to my recollection that a taut hawser, suddenly cut, is a thing as dangerous as a kicking horse.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

At last the breeze came; the schooner sidled and drew nearer in the dark; I felt the hawser slacken once more, and with a good, tough effort, cut the last fibres through.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

The hawser was as taut as a bowstring, and the current so strong she pulled upon her anchor.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

First she loomed before me like a blot of something yet blacker than darkness, then her spars and hull began to take shape, and the next moment, as it seemed (for, the farther I went, the brisker grew the current of the ebb), I was alongside of her hawser and had laid hold.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Just while I was meditating, a puff came, caught the HISPANIOLA, and forced her up into the current; and to my great joy, I felt the hawser slacken in my grasp, and the hand by which I held it dip for a second under water.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)