How Do You Spell OAKUM?

Pronunciation: [ˈə͡ʊkəm] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "oakum" is pronounced as "oh-kum" /ˈoʊkəm/. It refers to the loose, fibrous material made from old ropes that is used to pack the seams of ships or boats, especially wooden boats. The word has its origins in the Middle English word "occum" which means "old rope or cord". The spelling "oakum" has remained unchanged over the centuries and is still used today in the maritime industry. Proper sealing with oakum is critical in shipbuilding to prevent water intrusion and maintain the structural integrity of the vessel.

OAKUM Meaning and Definition

  1. Oakum is a noun that refers to a soft, loose material that is made by twisting or untwisting a natural fiber, such as hemp or jute, into yarn-like strands. Historically, oakum was commonly used to caulk seams and gaps in wooden shipbuilding to make them watertight. Its purpose was to seal joints between planks, decks, or hulls, preventing water from leaking into the vessel.

    To produce oakum, fibers are separated from their original form and then combed, cleaned, and coated with a substance like tar, pitch, or oil to enhance its water-resistant properties. This process imparts flexibility to the strands, allowing them to be tightly packed together when caulking to effectively plug gaps and prevent water infiltration.

    Although oakum is most commonly associated with shipbuilding, it has also found usage in various other applications. For instance, it can be utilized in construction projects, particularly in masonry work, to fill gaps, cracks, or joints in buildings. Additionally, oakum may be employed in plumbing to seal pipe connections and leaks.

    The term "oakum" has its origins in Old English, where it referred to loose, fibers of hemp or flax. Over time, it became closely associated with the process and material used in maritime caulking. Today, oakum remains a key element in traditional boat repair and restoration techniques, preserving the heritage of wooden vessels.

  2. The ravellings of tarred rope, employed formerly as a surgical dressing.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. Old rope pulled into loose yarn for calking ships.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for OAKUM

Etymology of OAKUM

The word "oakum" comes from the Middle English term "okome", which can be traced back to the Old English word "ācumba". "Ācumba" is a compound word formed by combining "āc", meaning "oak", and "cumba", meaning "bed" or "wool". Over time, the word evolved into "okum" and eventually became "oakum" in Modern English. "Oakum" specifically refers to fibers obtained by untwisting old rope, which were historically soaked in tar to create caulking material for sealing gaps in wooden ships.

Infographic

Add the infographic to your website: