a lever used to control the direction of a boat or ship
example
He adjusted the tiller to steer the small boat away from the rocky shore.
synonyms
helmsteering gearrudder
word origin — Middle English 'tiler', from Old English 'tilian' meaning 'to direct or steer'.
tiller, indolence, clime, acerbity, stickler: meanings and examples
Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 3 set 56. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.
tiller · noun/ˈtɪlər/
a lever used to control the direction of a boat or ship
He adjusted the tiller to steer the small boat away from the rocky shore.
Synonyms: helm, steering gear, rudder
Origin: Middle English 'tiler', from Old English 'tilian' meaning 'to direct or steer'.
indolence · noun/ˈɪndələns/
laziness or avoidance of activity
His indolence in completing his assignments led to poor grades and missed opportunities.
Synonyms: sloth, idleness, lethargy
Origin: from Latin 'indolentia' meaning 'freedom from pain' or 'laziness', derived from 'indolens', which means 'not feeling pain' or 'inactive'.
clime · noun/klaɪm/
a region considered with reference to its climate
They decided to move to a warmer clime to enjoy year-round sunshine.
Synonyms: zone, region, climate
Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'clime', from Latin 'clima', from Greek 'klima' meaning 'slope, inclination, region'.
acerbity · noun/əˈsɝː.bɪ.ti/
sharpness or bitterness of speech or temper
Her acerbity during the meeting surprised everyone, as they expected her to remain diplomatic despite the heated discussions.
Synonyms: bitterness, harshness
Origin: Derived from the Latin word 'acerbitas', which means 'bitterness' or 'sharpness', from 'acer' meaning 'sharp' or 'sour'.
stickler · noun/ˈstɪklər/
a person who insists on a certain quality or type of behavior
As a stickler for detail, she meticulously checks every assignment before submission.
Synonyms: perfectionist, pedant, stickler for detail
Origin: The word 'stickler' originated in the late 19th century, derived from the verb 'stickle,' which means to argue or insist on a point. It is thought to have originated from the Middle English 'stiklen', meaning to stick or adhere.