galley

gal·ley

noun \ˈga-lē\

plural galleys

Definition of GALLEY

1

: a ship or boat propelled solely or chiefly by oars: as

a : a long low ship used for war and trading especially in the Mediterranean Sea from the Middle Ages to the 19th century; also : galleass

b : a warship of classical antiquity — compare bireme, trireme

c : a large open boat (as a gig) formerly used in England

2

: the kitchen and cooking apparatus especially of a ship or airplane

3

a : an oblong tray to hold especially a single column of set type

b : a proof of typeset matter especially in a single column before being made into pages

Illustration of GALLEY

Origin of GALLEY

Middle English galeie, from Anglo-French galie, galee, ultimately from Middle Greek galea

First Known Use: 13th century

Other Printing Terms

epigraph, errata, leader, mechanical, notch, tittle, underscore, widow

Rhymes with GALLEY

alley, bally, challis, dally, gally, mallee, pally, rally, sally, Schally, tally, valley

galley

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Large seagoing vessel propelled primarily by oars. The Egyptians, Cretans, and other ancient peoples used sail-equipped galleys for war and commerce. The Phoenicians apparently introduced the bireme (c. 700 BC), which had two banks of oars staggered on either side. The Greeks first built the trireme c. 500 BC. War galleys would cruise in columns and would engage the enemy as a line abreast. A galley would close with the enemy at the bow, which was equipped with a ram, grappling irons, and missile-hurling devices. Invention of the lateen (fore-and-aft) sail and the stern rudder rendered the galley obsolete for commerce, but its greater maneuverability maintained its military importance into the 16th century. See also longship.