Word Study
centreboard
CIDE DICTIONARY
centreboard, n.
A retractable or sliding keel used on sailboats, formed of a broad board or slab of wood or metal which may be raised into a water-tight case amidships, when in shallow water, or may be lowered to increase the area of lateral resistance and prevent drifting to leeward when the vessel is beating to windward. It is used in vessels of all sizes along the coast of the United States [1913 Webster]
centreboard, n.
same as centerboard. [WordNet 1.5]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
centreboard, n. (US centerboard) a board for lowering through a boat's keel to prevent leeway.
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