ca|reen «kuh REEN», verb, noun.
–v.i.
1. a) to lean to one side; tilt; tip: »
The ship careened in the strong wind.
b) to tip or sway sharply (used especially of vehicles, sometimes of persons): »The speeding taxi went careening around the corner.
2. to heave a ship over on one side for cleaning, painting, or repairing below the water line: »
His orders were…to careen and refit (Robert Beatson).
–v.t.
1. a) to heave (a ship) over on one side for cleaning, painting, or repairing below the water line: »
Finding a convenient harbor…he unloaded and careened his vessels (Washington Irving).
b) to clean or repair (a ship) after placing it in this position: »His sloop could not go to sea without being careened.
2. a) to cause to lean to one side: »
The gale careened the sailboat.
b) to cause (anything, especially a wagon or other vehicle) to tip or sway sharply: »The sliding load careened the wagon at the corner.
╂[< noun]
–n.
1. a) the position of a ship when laid on one side for cleaning, painting, or repairs: »
When a ship is laid on a careen, everything is taken out of her (Falconer).
b) the process of careening: »The Duchess began to make ready for a careen (Will Rogers).
2. a) the position of a ship driven on her beam ends by wind, waves, or other violence: »
a broadside which laid her on a careen.
b) a leaning over: »The charm of the camel is not…in the movement, the noiseless stepping, or the broad careen (Lew Wallace).
╂[< Middle French carène < Italian (Genoese) carena < Latin carīna a keel]
–ca|reen´er, noun.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.