'a wide berth' definitions:

Definition of 'a wide berth'

From: GCIDE
  • Berth \Berth\ (b[~e]rth), n. [From the root of bear to produce, like birth nativity. See Birth.] [Also written birth.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. (Naut.) (a) Convenient sea room. (b) A room in which a number of the officers or ship's company mess and reside. (c) The place where a ship lies when she is at anchor, or at a wharf. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. An allotted place; an appointment; situation or employment. "He has a good berth." --Totten. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A place in a ship to sleep in; a long box or shelf on the side of a cabin or stateroom, or of a railway car, for sleeping in. [1913 Webster]
  • Berth deck, the deck next below the lower gun deck. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
  • To give (the land or any object) a wide berth, to keep at a distance from it. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'a wide berth'