Alist

/əˈlɪst/ adjective

Definition

Tilted or leaning to one side, as when a ship leans to the left or right in the water.

Etymology

From Middle English and Old Norse origins, combining 'a-' (in a state of) and 'list' (to lean or tilt). The nautical meaning became dominant in English as maritime vocabulary developed.

Kelly Says

Ship captains use this term constantly—when a boat is listing, it means it's sinking unevenly and all the cargo slides to one side. It's a medieval word that's still critical to maritime safety today.

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