avastphr.
/əˈvɑːst/, /əˈvast/, U.S. /əˈvæst/ Nautical.
Hold! stop! stay! cease!
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease [interjection]
ho1390
holla1523
holla ho!a1616
avast1681
vast1841
society > travel > travel by water > other nautical operations > [interjection] > cease
avast1681
1681 T. Otway Souldiers Fortune iv. i. 51 Hoa up, hoa up, so avast there, Sir.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. Avast, a Term frequently used on board a Ship, signifying to stop, hold, or stay.
1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random II. xli. 42 Avast there, friend; none of your tricks upon travellers.
1836 F. Marryat Mr. Midshipman Easy II. iii. 87 ‘Avast heaving,’ said Gascoigne.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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