xebec

enUK

xe·bec

also ze·bec or ze·beck X0003100 (zē′bĕk′)n. A small three-masted Mediterranean vessel with both square and lateen sails.
[French chebec, probably from Catalan xabec, from Arabic šabbāk, from šabaka, to entwine, fasten; see śbk in Semitic roots.]

xebec

,

zebec

,

zebeck

or

chebec

n (Nautical Terms) a small three-masted Mediterranean vessel with both square and lateen sails, formerly used by Algerian pirates and later used for commerce[C18: earlier chebec from French, ultimately from Arabic shabbāk; present spelling influenced by Catalan xabec, Spanish xabeque (now jabeque)]

xe•bec

or ze•bec

(ˈzi bɛk)

n. a small three-masted vessel of the Mediterranean, formerly much used by corsairs and later employed in commerce. [1750–60; alter. of earlier chebec < French < Catalan xabec or Sp xabeque (now jabeque), both < Arabic shabbāk]
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