from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Oar \Oar\ ([=o]r), n [AS. [=a]r; akin to Icel. [=a]r, Dan. aare,
Sw. [*a]ra; perh. akin to E. row, v. Cf. {Rowlock}.]
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1. An implement for impelling a boat, being a slender piece
of timber, usually ash or spruce, with a grip or handle at
one end and a broad blade at the other. The part which
rests in the rowlock is called the loom.
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Note: An oar is a kind of long paddle, which swings about a
kind of fulcrum, called a rowlock, fixed to the side of
the boat.
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2. An oarsman; a rower; as, he is a good oar.
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3. (Zool.) An oarlike swimming organ of various
invertebrates.
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{Oar cock}
(Zool.), the water rail. [Prov. Eng.]
{Spoon oar}, an oar having the blade so curved as to afford a
better hold upon the water in rowing.
{To boat the oars}, to cease rowing, and lay the oars in the
boat.
{To feather the oars}. See under {Feather}., v. t.
{To lie on the oars}, to cease pulling, raising the oars out
of water, but not boating them; to cease from work of any
kind; to be idle; to rest.
{To muffle the oars}, to put something round that part which
rests in the rowlock, to prevent noise in rowing.
{To put in one's oar}, to give aid or advice; -- commonly
used of a person who obtrudes aid or counsel not invited.
{To ship the oars}, to place them in the rowlocks.
{To toss the oars}, To peak the oars, to lift them from the
rowlocks and hold them perpendicularly, the handle resting
on the bottom of the boat.
{To trail oars}, to allow them to trail in the water
alongside of the boat.
{To unship the oars}, to take them out of the rowlocks.
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