pinnace

English

Etymology

From Middle French pinasse, from Spanish pinaza, from pino (“pine”) + -aza.

Noun

pinnace (plural pinnaces)

  1. (nautical) A light boat, traditionally propelled by sails, but sometimes a rowboat. Pinnaces are usually messenger boats, carrying messages among the larger ships of a fleet.
    • 1719, Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe:
      I cast my eyes to the ship, and there she rode, within little more than half a mile of the shore; for they had weighed her anchor as soon as they were masters of her, and, the weather being fair, had brought her to an anchor just against the mouth of the little creek; and the tide being up, the captain had brought the pinnace in ...

Further reading
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