Cinque Ports
[ singk ]
/ sɪŋk /
plural noun
a former association of maritime towns in SE England: originally (1278) numbering five (Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Dover, and Sandwich) and receiving special privileges in return for aiding in the naval defense of England.
Example sentences from the Web for cinque ports
We here refitted and victualled our ship, and were joined by the Cinque-ports, and left Kinsale on the 11th September.
British Dictionary definitions for cinque ports
Cinque Ports
/ (sɪŋk) /
pl n
an association of ports on the SE coast of England, originally consisting of Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Dover, and Sandwich, which from late Anglo-Saxon times provided ships for the king's service in return for the profits of justice in their courts. The Cinque Ports declined with the growth of other ports and surrendered their charters in 1685