Word
burton
Phoneticsbur·ton
US/ˈbɝtən/
UK/bˈɜːtən/
Definitions
01nautical pulley system
n. an old system of ropes and wheels used on ships to pull things tight or lift heavy weights.
n. a small tackle or system of blocks and pulleys used specifically for tightening rigging or shifting heavy weights on a sailing vessel.
“The sailors used a burton to pull the heavy ropes tight against the mast.”
“The boatswain ordered the crew to rig a Spanish burton to provide the necessary mechanical advantage for hoisting the spare anchor.”
Archaic · Technical
Usage
Usually refers to a 'Spanish burton' in historical maritime contexts.
Teaching tip
This term is extremely rare and only appears in historical maritime literature; modern learners will likely never encounter it outside of specialized nautical history.
02cargo storage
n. a way of packing boxes or goods across a ship from one side to the other.
n. the method of stowing cargo athwartships, or across the breadth of the vessel, rather than fore and aft.
“The cargo was placed in a burton to make sure it did not move during the storm.”
“Properly stowing the casks in a burton ensured that the weight was distributed evenly across the hold, preventing the load from shifting in heavy seas.”
Archaic · Technical
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'stowed in a burton'.
Teaching tip
Like the pulley sense, this is restricted to 18th and 19th-century naval contexts.
Synonyms
Etymology
Usually from Old English burhtun (fortified farmstead, farmstead near or belonging to a stronghold or manor), from burh + tun.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/burton