sheet anchor

noun

1
: a large strong anchor formerly carried in the waist of a ship and used as a spare in an emergency
2
: something that constitutes a main support or dependence especially in danger

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier shoot anchor, from Middle English shute anker

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sheet anchor was in 1626

Dictionary Entries Near sheet anchor

Cite this Entry

“Sheet anchor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheet%20anchor. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!