xebec

[ zee-bek ]

/ ˈzi bɛk /

a small, three-masted vessel of the Mediterranean, formerly much used by corsairs, now employed to some extent in commerce.

Also chebeck, zebec, zebeck.

Origin of xebec

1750–60; alteration of earlier chebec < French < Catalan xabec or Spanish xabeque (now jabeque), both < Arabic shabbāk

xc, xcl, xd, xda, xe, xebec, xenakis, xenia, xenic acid, xenical, xeno-

That big fellow has got twelve on a side, the polacre has eight, and the xebec six, so between them they have fifty-two guns.

Held Fast For England |G. A. Henty
Equivalent to our hermaphrodite, being a small Mediterranean vessel, between a xebec and a felucca.

The Sailor's Word-Book |William Henry Smyth
Every time one of her boats rowed past the xebec it would be challenged and ugly things said.

Stories of Our Naval Heroes |Various
The small cannon of the xebec had been dismounted, but they hastily tied them with ropes.

The Dead Command |Vicente Blasco Ibez

The first broadside from the ship's cannons kills five men on the deck of the xebec, among them the father of Riquer.

The Dead Command |Vicente Blasco Ibez

xebec

/ (ˈziːbɛk) /

a small three-masted Mediterranean vessel with both square and lateen sails, formerly used by Algerian pirates and later used for commerce

C18: earlier chebec from French, ultimately from Arabic shabbāk; present spelling influenced by Catalan xabec, Spanish xabeque (now jabeque)