Alee

/əˈliː/ adverb, adjective, preposition

Definition

On the lee side of a ship; sheltered from the wind, or away from the wind direction in nautical contexts.

Etymology

From Old English 'on' plus 'lee' (sheltered side), becoming the single word 'alee' by Medieval times; 'lee' itself comes from Old English 'hleow' (shelter).

Kelly Says

Sailors still say 'hard alee!' as a command to turn the ship away from the wind—it's one of the oldest survival phrases in English, showing that sailors' language barely changes because it's literally life-or-death.

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