Xebec

From Fresh Dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Alternative Spellings 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Pronunciation 1.4 Noun

English

Alternative Spellings

• Zebec
• Zebeck

Etymology

Either from French chébec, from Spanish xabeque (modern jabeque) or Catalan xabec, ultimately from Arabic شبّاك (šabbāk) ‘small warship, fishing boat’.

Pronunciation

IPA: /'zi:bɛk/

Noun

Singular xebec

Plural xebecs

1. A small, three-masted Mediterranean transport ship
   • 1963: Winter. The green xebec whose figurehead was Astarte, goddess of sexual love, tacked slowly into the Grand Harbour. — Thomas Pynchon, V.
2. A name of a Japanese anime studio