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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Berth deck

Deck \Deck\, n. [D. dek. See Deck, v.]

  1. The floorlike covering of the horizontal sections, or compartments, of a ship. Small vessels have only one deck; larger ships have two or three decks. Note: The following are the more common names of the decks of vessels having more than one. Berth deck (Navy), a deck next below the gun deck, where the hammocks of the crew are swung. Boiler deck (River Steamers), the deck on which the boilers are placed. Flush deck, any continuous, unbroken deck from stem to stern. Gun deck (Navy), a deck below the spar deck, on which the ship's guns are carried. If there are two gun decks, the upper one is called the main deck, the lower, the lower gun deck; if there are three, one is called the middle gun deck. Half-deck, that portion of the deck next below the spar deck which is between the mainmast and the cabin. Hurricane deck (River Steamers, etc.), the upper deck, usually a light deck, erected above the frame of the hull. Orlop deck, the deck or part of a deck where the cables are stowed, usually below the water line. Poop deck, the deck forming the roof of a poop or poop cabin, built on the upper deck and extending from the mizzenmast aft. Quarter-deck, the part of the upper deck abaft the mainmast, including the poop deck when there is one. Spar deck.

    1. Same as the upper deck.

    2. Sometimes a light deck fitted over the upper deck.

      Upper deck, the highest deck of the hull, extending from stem to stern.

  2. (arch.) The upper part or top of a mansard roof or curb roof when made nearly flat.

  3. (Railroad) The roof of a passenger car.

  4. A pack or set of playing cards.

    The king was slyly fingered from the deck.
    --Shak.

  5. A heap or store. [Obs.]

    Who . . . hath such trinkets Ready in the deck.
    --Massinger.

  6. (A["e]ronautics) A main a["e]roplane surface, esp. of a biplane or multiplane.

  7. the portion of a bridge which serves as the roadway.

  8. a flat platform adjacent to a house, usually without a roof; -- it is typically used for relaxing out of doors, outdoor cooking, or entertaining guests.

    Between decks. See under Between.

    Deck bridge (Railroad Engineering), a bridge which carries the track upon the upper chords; -- distinguished from a through bridge, which carries the track upon the lower chords, between the girders.

    Deck curb (Arch.), a curb supporting a deck in roof construction.

    Deck floor (Arch.), a floor which serves also as a roof, as of a belfry or balcony.

    Deck hand, a sailor hired to help on the vessel's deck, but not expected to go aloft.

    Deck molding (Arch.), the molded finish of the edge of a deck, making the junction with the lower slope of the roof.

    Deck roof (Arch.), a nearly flat roof which is not surmounted by parapet walls.

    Deck transom (Shipbuilding), the transom into which the deck is framed.

    To clear the decks (Naut.), to remove every unnecessary incumbrance in preparation for battle; to prepare for action.

    To sweep the deck (Card Playing), to clear off all the stakes on the table by winning them.

Berth deck

Berth \Berth\ (b[~e]rth), n. [From the root of bear to produce, like birth nativity. See Birth.] [Also written birth.]

  1. (Naut.)

    1. Convenient sea room.

    2. A room in which a number of the officers or ship's company mess and reside.

    3. The place where a ship lies when she is at anchor, or at a wharf.

  2. An allotted place; an appointment; situation or employment. ``He has a good berth.''
    --Totten.

  3. A place in a ship to sleep in; a long box or shelf on the side of a cabin or stateroom, or of a railway car, for sleeping in.

    Berth deck, the deck next below the lower gun deck.
    --Ham. Nav. Encyc.

    To give (the land or any object) a wide berth, to keep at a distance from it.

Usage examples of "berth deck".

The wounded, carried below to the berth deck to await medical attention, were powerless to save themselves as the water crept up from below and through the open hatches.

Below, on the flooding berth deck, the cries of the wounded were quickly snuffed out.

Six bells rang on deck, and faintly he heard the pipe shrilling away, the scrape and clatter of the hands going to their breakfast on the berth deck below, and the smell of strong tea came drifting over from the galley.