Rudder word meaning and definition

[noun] (nautical) steering mechanism consisting of a hinged vertical plate mounted at the stern of a vessel
[noun] a hinged vertical airfoil mounted at the tail of an aircraft and used to make horizontal course changes

\Rud"der\, n. In an aircraft, a surface the function of which is to exert a turning moment about an axis of the craft.
\Rud"der\, n. A riddle or sieve. [Prov. Eng.]
\Rud"der\, n. [OE. rother, AS. r[=o][eth]er a paddle; akin to D. roer rudder, oar, G. ruder, OHG. roadar, Sw. roder, ror, Dan. roer, ror. [root] 8. See {Row} to propel with an oar, and cf. {Rother}. ] 1. (Naut.) The mechanical appliance by means of which a vessel is guided or steered when in motion. It is a broad and flat blade made of wood or iron, with a long shank, and is fastened in an upright position, usually by one edge, to the sternpost of the vessel in such a way that it can be turned from side to side in the water by means of a tiller, wheel, or other attachment. 2. Fig.: That which resembles a rudder as a guide or governor; that which guides or governs the course. For rhyme the rudder is of verses. --Hudibras. {Balance rudder} (Naut.), a rudder pivoted near the middle instead of at the edge, -- common on sharpies. {Drop rudder} (Naut.), a rudder extending below the keel so as to be more effective in steering. {Rudder chain} (Naut.), one of the loose chains or ropes which fasten the rudder to the quarters to prevent its loss in case it gets unshipped, and for operating it in case the tiller or the wheel is broken. {Rudder coat} (Naut.), a covering of tarred canvas used to prevent water from entering the rudderhole. {Rudder fish}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The pilot fish.
(b) The amber fish ({Seriola zonata}), which is bluish having six broad black bands.
(c) A plain greenish black American fish ({Leirus perciformis}); -- called also {black rudder fish}, {logfish}, and {barrel fish}. The name is also applied to other fishes which follow vessels. {Rudder pendants} (Naut.), ropes connected with the rudder chains.
3. A dish or utensil (originally fashioned like the hull of a ship) used to hold incense. [Obs.] --Tyndale. {Armed ship}, a private ship taken into the service of the government in time of war, and armed and equipped like a ship of war. [Eng.] --Brande & C. {General ship}. See under {General}. {Ship biscuit}, hard biscuit prepared for use on shipboard; -- called also {ship bread}. See {Hardtack}. {Ship boy}, a boy who serves in a ship. ``Seal up the ship boy's eyes.'' --Shak. {Ship breaker}, one who breaks up vessels when unfit for further use. {Ship broker}, a mercantile agent employed in buying and selling ships, procuring cargoes, etc., and generally in transacting the business of a ship or ships when in port. {Ship canal}, a canal suitable for the passage of seagoing vessels. {Ship carpenter}, a carpenter who works at shipbuilding; a shipwright. {Ship chandler}, one who deals in cordage, canvas, and other, furniture of vessels. {Ship chandlery}, the commodities in which a ship chandler deals; also, the business of a ship chandler. {Ship fever} (Med.), a form of typhus fever; -- called also {putrid, jail, or hospital fever}. {Ship joiner}, a joiner who works upon ships. {Ship letter}, a letter conveyed by a ship not a mail packet. {Ship money} (Eng. Hist.), an imposition formerly charged on the ports, towns, cities, boroughs, and counties, of England, for providing and furnishing certain ships for the king's service. The attempt made by Charles I. to revive and enforce this tax was resisted by John Hampden, and was one of the causes which led to the death of Charles. It was finally abolished. {Ship of the line}. See under {Line}. {Ship pendulum}, a pendulum hung amidships to show the extent of the rolling and pitching of a vessel. {Ship railway}.
(a) An inclined railway with a cradelike car, by means of which a ship may be drawn out of water, as for repairs.
(b) A railway arranged for the transportation of vessels overland between two water courses or harbors. {Ship's company}, the crew of a ship or other vessel. {Ship's days}, the days allowed a vessel for loading or unloading. {Ship's husband}. See under {Husband}. {Ship's papers} (Mar. Law), papers with which a vessel is required by law to be provided, and the production of which may be required on certain occasions. Among these papers are the register, passport or sea letter, charter party, bills of lading, invoice, log book, muster roll, bill of health, etc. --Bouvier. --Kent. {To make ship}, to embark in a ship or other vessel.

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