| 释义 |
ˈknee-ˌtimber
Timber having a natural angular bend, suitable for making knees in shipbuilding or carpentry; = knee n. 7. Also fig.
1607–12Bacon Ess., Goodness & Goodness of Nat. (Arb.) 206 Like to knee-tymber that is good for Shipps..but not for building houses. 1673E. Brown Trav. Germ., etc. (1677) 55 It is built with large Knee Timber, like the ribs of a Ship. 1791Cowper Yardley Oak 99 Thy tortuous arms..Warped into tough knee-timber. 1898Archæol. æliana XIX. iii. 265 A plantation of oaks growing to provide ‘knee-timber’ for his ships.
b. with pl. A bent piece of timber used in carpentry or shipbuilding.
1739C. Labelye Short Acc. Piers Westm. Br. 24 Every Angle..had three Oaken Knee-Timbers, properly bolted and secured. 1795–1814Wordsw. Excurs. vii. 606 Many a ship..to him hath owed Her strong knee-timbers. |