An oar positioned toward the rear of a boat or ship, used to help steer and propel the vessel.
Compound of 'after' (Old English æfter, meaning behind) and 'oar' (Old English ār, the paddle for rowing). The term emerged in nautical English to describe oars positioned at the stern.
Medieval shipbuilders invented specific terminology for every part of a vessel because communication between crew members during storms could mean life or death—afteroar is one of hundreds of maritime words that tell the story of humanity's relationship with the sea.
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