"loose fiber obtained from taking apart old hemp ropes," early 15c., from Old English acumba "tow, oakum, flax fibers separated by combing," literally "what is combed out," from Proto-Germanic *us-kambon (source of Old High German achambi); first element cognate with Old English a- "away, out, off;" second element from stem of cemban "to comb," from camb "a comb;" from PIE *gembh- "tooth, nail" (see comb (n.)).
双语例句
1. Shipbuilders caulk wooden boats with oakum and tar.
造船工匠用麻丝和沥青填塞木船缝隙,使之不渗水.
来自辞典例句
2. Nautical To make a boat watertight by packing seams a waterproof material, as oakum or pitch.
使用防水材料, 如麻絮或沥青堵漏缝以使(船)不漏水.
来自互联网
3. To make ( a boat ) watertight packing seams with a waterproof material, such as oakum or pitch.