πλώρη
Wordform Details
Translation: bowprowfront of ship
Part of Speech: noun
Inflection Type:
femininesingularnominativeIs Dictionary Form: Yes
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: πλώρη
Translation: bow; prow; front part of a ship (noun)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek πλώρη (plṓrē), which is related to πλέω (pléō, 'to sail, to float'). The word has been used since ancient times to refer to the forward part of a vessel. The English nautical term 'prow' is a cognate, both ultimately deriving from Proto-Indo-European roots related to sailing and floating.
Example Usage
Το πλοίο έστρεψε την πλώρη του προς το λιμάνι.
The ship turned its bow toward the harbor.
Στεκόταν στην πλώρη και κοιτούσε τον ορίζοντα.
He was standing at the bow looking at the horizon.
Βάλαμε πλώρη για το νησί.
We set course for the island.
Στεκόταν στην πλώρη και κοιτούσε τη θάλασσα.
He was standing at the bow looking at the sea.
Τα κύματα χτυπούσαν την πλώρη του καραβιού.
The waves were hitting the bow of the ship.
Το κύμα χτύπησε την πλώρη του πλοίου.
The wave hit the bow of the ship.
Με την πλώρη στραμμένη προς το λιμάνι.
With the bow facing toward the harbor.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'plow' (sounds like πλώρη) as it cuts through water like a ship's bow cuts through waves.
- The word contains 'ρη' which sounds like 'row' - you row from the front of a boat.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
In Greek maritime tradition, the πλώρη has significant cultural importance. Greek ships often had decorated prows, and there are many expressions and sayings related to the bow of the ship in Greek culture, reflecting Greece's long maritime history.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While πλώρη means 'bow of a ship', πλωτός means 'floating' or 'navigable'. They share etymological roots related to sailing but have different meanings.
Notes: Both terms are used in maritime contexts but refer to different concepts.
Mnemonic: πλώρη ends with 'ρη' (like 'row') - you row from the front; πλωτός ends with 'τός' (like 'toss') - something that tosses on water is floating.
Explanation: πλώρη refers specifically to the bow of a ship, while πλοίο means 'ship' or 'vessel' as a whole.
Confused word:
Το πλοίο έφτασε στο λιμάνι.
The ship arrived at the port.
Notes: These words often appear together in maritime contexts.
Mnemonic: πλώρη is just a part (bow), while πλοίο is the whole (ship).