dock

dock

dock¹ [däk]

n.

[orig., mud channel made by a vessel's bottom at low tide: hence, dock < MDu docke, channel < It doccia, conduit, canal: see DOUCHE]

1. a large structure or excavated basin for receiving ships, equipped with gates to keep water in or out

☆ 2. a landing pier; wharf

3. the area of water between two landing piers

☆ 4. a platform at which trucks or freight cars are loaded and unloaded

☆ 5. a building, platform, or area for servicing aircraft

vt.

1. to bring or pilot (a ship) to or into a dock and moor it

☆ 2. to join (vehicles) together in outer space

vi.

1. to come to or into a dock and moor

☆ 2. to join up with another vehicle in outer space

dock² [däk]

n.

[< Fl docke, dok, hutch, pen, cage]

the place where the accused stands or sits in court

dock³ [däk]

n.

[ME dokke < OE docce, akin to MHG tocke, bundle, tuft]

any of various tall, coarse weeds (genus Rumex) of the buckwheat family, with stout taproots, small green or brown flowers, and large leaves: see SORREL¹

dock⁴ [däk]

n.

[ME dok < OE -docca or ON dockr, a short, stumpy tail, akin to DOCK³]

1. the solid part of an animal's tail, excluding the hair

2. an animal's bobbed tail

vt.

[ME dokken < the n.]

1. to cut off the end of (a tail, etc.); clip or bob

2. to shorten the tail of by cutting

3. to deduct a part from (wages, etc.)

4. to deduct a part from the wages of

5. to remove part of