dock

¹dock

noun \ˈdäk\

Definition of DOCK

1

: any of a genus (Rumex) of coarse weedy plants of the buckwheat family having long taproots and sometimes used as potherbs

2

: any of several usually broad-leaved weedy plants (as of the genus Silphium)

Origin of DOCK

Middle English, from Old English docce; akin to Middle Dutch docke dock

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with DOCK

bloc, block, bock, brock, chock, clock, cock, croc, crock, doc, floc, flock, frock, grok, hock, jock, knock, lakh, loch, lock, Locke, lough, moc, mock, nock, pock, roc, rock, schlock, shock, smock, sock, Spock, stock, wok

²dock

noun

Definition of DOCK

1

: the solid part of an animal's tail as distinguished from the hair

2

: the part of an animal's tail left after it has been shortened

Origin of DOCK

Middle English dok, perhaps from Old English -docca (as in fingirdocca finger muscle); akin to Old High German tocka doll, Old Norse dokka bundle

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

³dock

transitive verb

Definition of DOCK

1

a : to cut off the end of a body part of; specifically : to remove part of the tail of

b : to cut (as ears or a tail) short

2

a : to take away a part of : abridge

b : to subject (as wages) to a deduction

c : to penalize by depriving of a benefit ordinarily due; especially : to fine by a deduction of wages <docked him for tardiness>

First Known Use of DOCK

14th century

⁴dock

noun

Definition of DOCK

1

: a usually artificial basin or enclosure for the reception of ships that is equipped with means for controlling the water height

2

: ²slip 1b

3

a : a place (as a wharf or platform) for the loading or unloading of materials

b : a usually wooden pier used as a landing place or moorage for boats

Origin of DOCK

Middle English dokke, probably from Middle Dutch docke

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Nautical Terms

avast, aweigh, flotsam, jib, keel, lee, port, starboard, stay

⁵dock

verb

Definition of DOCK

transitive verb

1

: to haul or guide into or alongside a dock

2

: to join (as two spacecraft) mechanically while in space

intransitive verb

1

: to come into or alongside a dock

2

: to become docked

First Known Use of DOCK

1600

⁶dock

noun

Definition of DOCK

: the place in a criminal court where a prisoner stands or sits during trial

— in the dock

: on trial

Origin of DOCK

Dutch dialect (Flanders) docke cage

First Known Use: 1586

dock

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any coarse weedy plant of the genus Rumex, in the buckwheat family, that has a long taproot and is sometimes used as a potherb. Most docks are native to Europe but naturalized throughout North America. Examples include curly dock (R. crispus) and bitter dock (R. obtusifolius). The early basal leaves of patience-dock (R. patientia) are sometimes used in salads. The common weed R. acetosa is known variously as dock, common sorrel, or garden sorrel. See also sorrel.