dock Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial
  2. noun any of certain coarse weedy plants with long taproots, sometimes used as table greens or in folk medicine
    sorrel; sour grass.
  3. noun a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
    wharf; pier; wharfage.
  4. noun a platform where trucks or trains can be loaded or unloaded
    loading dock.
  5. noun landing in a harbor next to a pier where ships are loaded and unloaded or repaired; may have gates to let water in or out
    dockage; docking facility.
    • the ship arrived at the dock more than a day late
  6. noun the solid bony part of the tail of an animal as distinguished from the hair
  7. noun a short or shortened tail of certain animals
    bob; bobtail.
  8. verb come into dock
    • the ship docked
  9. verb deprive someone of benefits, as a penalty
  10. verb deduct from someone's wages
  11. verb remove or shorten the tail of an animal
    tail; bob.
  12. verb maneuver into a dock
    • dock the ships

WordNet

Dock noun
Etymology
AS. docce; of uncertain origin; cf. G. docken-blätter, Gael. dogha burdock, OF. doque; perh. akin to L. daucus, daucum, Gr. , , a kind of parsnip or carrot, used in medicine. Cf. Burdock.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A genus of plants (Rumex), some species of which are well-known weeds which have a long taproot and are difficult of extermination. ✍ Yellow dock is Rumex crispus, with smooth curly leaves and yellow root, which that of other species is used medicinally as an astringent and tonic.
Dock noun
Etymology
Cf. Icel. dockr a short tail, Fries. dok a little bundle or bunch, G. docke bundle, skein, a short and thick column.
Definitions
  1. The solid part of an animal's tail, as distinguished from the hair; the stump of a tail; the part of a tail left after clipping or cutting. Grew.
  2. A case of leather to cover the clipped or cut tail of a horse.
Dock transitive verb
Etymology
See Dock a tail. Cf. W. tociaw, and twciaw, to dock, clip.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Docked ; present participle & verbal noun Docking
Definitions
  1. to cut off, as the end of a thing; to curtail; to cut short; to clip; as, to dock the tail of a horse.
    His top was docked like a priest biforn. Chaucer.
  2. To cut off a part from; to shorten; to deduct from; to subject to a deduction; as, to dock one's wages.
  3. To cut off, bar, or destroy; as, to dock an entail.
Dock noun
Etymology
Akin to D. dok; of uncertain origin; cf. LL. doga ditch, L. doga ditch, L. doga sort of vessel, Gr. receptacle, fr. to receive.
Definitions
  1. An artificial basin or an inclosure in connection with a harbor or river, -- used for the reception of vessels, and provided with gates for keeping in or shutting out the tide.
  2. The slip or water way extending between two piers or projecting wharves, for the reception of ships; -- sometimes including the piers themselves; as, to be down on the dock.
  3. The place in court where a criminal or accused person stands.
Dock transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To draw, law, or place (a ship) in a dock, for repairing, cleaning the bottom, etc.

Webster 1913