careen

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to move rapidly and unsteadily from side to side, as though likely to overturn

   The wagon careened down the muddy road.

2. 2
   verb

   nautical: to tilt a ship onto one side so that its hull can be cleaned or repaired

   The crew careened the vessel on the beach to repair its hull.

3. 3
   noun

   a lurching or tilting movement

   A sudden careen sent the loose boxes sliding across the deck.

Simplified etymology

Careen came through French from Latin carina, which first meant “nutshell” and later the hull and then the keel of a ship. In English it initially referred to putting a ship on its side so its hull or keel could be repaired. The American sense “rush headlong” arose in the early 20th century, probably under the influence of career.

From French carene, 'keel,' through Italian carena from Latin carina. The original verb meant to expose a ship's hull by heeling it over; the modern movement sense arose from the image of a vessel leaning dangerously to one side.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary