Definitions For Avast

Interjection

{{en-interj}} (nautical) hold fast!; desist!; stay!. }} (slang, in imitation of pirates) listen!; pay attention! : {{ux, en, Avast, ye landlubbers!}}

Usage notes

“Avast hauling!” (meaning, “stop hauling”) is (or was, in 1950) still commonly used in U.S. Navy deck operations. The slang use in imitation of pirate talk is based on a misconstruction of the meaning. If uttered by a historical sailor, the meaning of the sentence “Avast, ye landlubbers” would have been, “Desist, you novice seamen”.

Synonyms

hold fast pay attention

Etymology

From the {{etyl, nl, en}} hou vast, , hold tight.

Anagrams

Vasta, tavas