round turn

noun

1

: one turn of a rope round a timber or belaying pin or around a bollard on a pier to stop a ship suddenly

2

: a foul hawse resulting from a 720-degree turn made by a ship riding at two anchors compare elbow in hawse

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!