amidships meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

amidships

adv

/əˈmɪd.ʃɪps/

Etymology From amid + ships.

Nautical, Transport Usually In the middle of a ship, either longitudinally or laterally.

[The U-boat captain] waited until the crosshairs lay directly amidships.
Two more torpedoes were fired; one ran erratic; the second hit amidships.

2 more examples

The saloon, instead of being at the stern, according to the old method of construction, is placed more amidships.
The main cabin, most amidships, was 8 feet 3 inches broad …

Nautical, Transport Usually Usually in the line of the keel, but sometimes halfway between bow and stern; often contracted to “midships.” (FM 55-501).

Figuratively, Usually On the flank, at a vulnerable place.

In stating that the Woosters never give up, I was in error. These words caught me amidships and took all the fighting spirit out of me, leaving me a spent force.1960, P[elham] G[renville] Wodehouse, chapter XX, in Jeeves in the Offing, London: Herbert Jenkins, →OCLC:

amidships

intj

Etymology From amid + ships.

A helm order, normally shortened to midships!, to centre the helm in the line of the keel.