Word Study
oakum
CIDE DICTIONARY
oakum, n. [AS. ācumba; pref. (cf. G. er-, Goth. us-, orig. meaning, out) + cemban to comb, camb comb. See Comb.].
- The material obtained by untwisting and picking into loose fiber old hemp ropes; -- used for calking the seams of ships, stopping leaks, etc. [1913 Webster]
- The coarse portion separated from flax or hemp in nackling. Knight. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
oakum, n. a loose fibre obtained by picking old rope to pieces and used esp. in caulking.
Etymology
OE {aelig}cumbe, acumbe, lit. 'off-combings'
ROGET THESAURUS
oakum
Filament
N filament, line, fiber, fibril, funicle, vein, hair, capillament, cilium, cilia, pilus, pili, tendril, gossamer, hair stroke, veinlet, venula, venule, wire, string, thread, packthread, cotton, sewing silk, twine, twist, whipcord, tape, ribbon, cord, rope, yarn, hemp, oakum, jute, strip, shred, slip, spill, list, band, fillet, fascia, ribbon, riband, roll, lath, splinter, shiver, shaving, beard, ramification, strand, filamentous, filamentiferous, filaceous, filiform, fibrous, fibrillous, thread-like, wiry, stringy, ropy, capillary, capilliform, funicular, wire-drawn, anguilliform, flagelliform, hairy, taeniate, taeniform, taenioid, venose, venous.For further exploring for "oakum" in Webster Dictionary Online
