thole

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thole" is not commonly used in modern written English and may not be widely recognized.
It can be used in specific contexts, particularly in nautical or historical references, where it refers to a type of oarlock or the act of enduring something. Example: "The old boat was equipped with tholes, allowing the crew to row more efficiently against the tide."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The loom, or middle portion of the oar, rests either in a notch or oarlock (rowlock) or between thole pins on the gunwale (top edge) of the boat in order to serve as a fulcrum of the oar.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We were in an excellent position to check the Time item about the squeak of a fisherman's oars against thole pins.

The New Yorker

It was a time of transition and suspension along New England's hores, the squeak of a fisherman's oars against thole pins sounded lonely and clear in the fog.

The New Yorker

When he was commissioned to translate "Beowulf," he said he found the task onerous until he had a breakthrough: he discovered in the Anglo-Saxon text a word he remembered his grandmother using that he hadn't heard since — "thole," which means "suffer".

The New Yorker

What we heard was first the scraping of the galvanized oar lock in its galvanized socket, then a few moments later, the crisp explosions of a 6-cylinder Chevrolet conversion whose pistons were soon delivering more thrusts per minute than there are thole pins in all of Maine.

The New Yorker

THOLE IN THE SPOTLIGHT Catcher Josh Thole was in the lineup batting sixth Wednesday in the rubber game of the Mets' series with the Reds.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

For Dappy it is renting a plush apartment in Canary Wharf – "instead of a dirty sh*thole that we were raised and born in".

Independent

The White House AND Waffle House came up pic.twitter.com/10OTxaE6Zv The same thing appears to have been happening in a long prank waged on Tottenham Hotspur, where users have forced the word "s**thole" to link to the club's home, White Hart Lane.

Independent

The Welshman Mark Williams, the two-time world champion, last week used Twitter to call the Crucible Theatre a "sh*thole".

Independent

To build a run and tie the game, the Mets would do one of two things: either Reyes would try to steal second base or Josh Thole, the Met catcher, would try to move him along with a sacrifice bunt.

The New Yorker

Playing a hunch, Collins replaced the left-handed-hitting Josh Thole with the right-handed-hitting Ronny Paulino, a move that neutralized Rivera's diabolical cutter.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thole" in writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to endurance/patience or a part of a boat. The word is not commonly used, so clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using "thole" in place of more common synonyms like "endure" or "tolerate" without a specific reason. The word can sound archaic or nautical if used improperly.

Linguistic Context

The word "thole" primarily functions as a noun referring to a pin in the side of a boat or, less commonly, as a noun meaning patience/endurance or as a verb meaning to suffer/endure. Ludwig AI indicates its usage is not widespread in modern English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thole" is an uncommon word with two primary meanings: a pin in the side of a boat (nautical context) and patience/endurance. Ludwig highlights that it's not frequently used in modern English writing. When you intend to use it in writing, considering synonyms like "oarlock" (for the nautical sense) or "endure" (for the patience sense) might be appropriate, depending on your context. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, while grammatically correct, its infrequent usage makes clarity crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

endure

Focuses on the act of bearing hardship or difficulty, similar to one meaning of "thole".

tolerate

Highlights acceptance or allowance of something, aligning with the sense of putting up with something.

put up with

Emphasizes the act of accepting something unpleasant, mirroring the 'tolerate' aspect of "thole".

rowlock

Specifies a device that holds an oar in place, a synonym for the nautical meaning of "thole".

oarlock

Another term for the fitting that holds an oar, directly related to the boat component meaning of "thole".

bear

Implies carrying a burden or enduring something difficult, similar to the suffering meaning of "thole".

undergo

Suggests experiencing something, often unpleasant, aligning with the sense of enduring.

withstand

Highlights resistance or survival through a challenging experience, relating to endurance.

support

Focuses on giving assistance or holding something up, sharing a connection with the oar support meaning.

sustain

Implies maintaining or enduring through a difficult period, aligning with the endurance aspect.

FAQs

What does "thole" mean?

"Thole" can mean either patience or endurance, or it can refer to a pin in the side of a boat that acts as a fulcrum for oars.

How can I use "thole" in a sentence?

Example: "He had no "patience" for foolishness" (endurance meaning) or "The oar rested securely against the "oarlock"" (nautical meaning).

What's a synonym for "thole" when it means endurance?

Synonyms include "endurance", "patience", and "tolerance".

Is "thole" a commonly used word?

No, "thole" is not commonly used in modern English. It's more likely to be encountered in nautical or historical contexts.