nautical

Everyday

1. To do with ships, sailing or sailors. tree →
2. Using things or designs from the sea and ships: nautical stripes. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and maths lessons, a «nautical mile» is a unit of distance at sea (about 1.85 km). In everyday life «nautical» describes sailor-style clothes, anchors and decorations. Phrases: nautical mile, nautical chart, nautical theme, nautical terms.

Examples

• A nautical mile is longer than a normal mile. tree →
• The captain studied the nautical chart. tree →
• Our bathroom has a nautical theme with anchors. tree →
• «Port» and «starboard» are nautical words for left and right. tree →
• She wore a nautical striped top. tree →
• Sailors learn many nautical knots. tree →
• The museum is full of nautical treasures. tree →
• They all donned pirate clothes cut off at the knee, shaved smartly, and tumbled up, with the true nautical roll and hitching their trousers. tree →

Note

Adjective, usually before a noun. In maths: 1 nautical mile = 1,852 metres (about 1.15 ordinary miles); ship speed in knots = nautical miles per hour. Similar: maritime, naval (to do with a navy).