Also 6 ankarage, 7 -erage, -orage, anchrage. [f. prec. + -AGE, cf. Fr. ancrage.]
1. The action or process of anchoring; the condition of lying at anchor.
1611. Cotgr., Anchraige, ankorage, ankoring.
1634. W. Wood, New Engl. Prosp., I. i. There is roome for the Anchorage of 500 Ships.
1687. Lond. Gaz., mmcclxxxii/6. A Duty imposed upon Anchrage.
1855. (7 June) Bright, Sp., 257. The position and duration of the anchorages of ships between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
2. Conditions admitting of anchoring; esp. a place for anchoring; anchorage-ground.
1706. Phillips, Anchorage or Anchoring, ground fit to hold the Ship’s Anchor, so that she may ride it out safely.
1744. Anson, Voy., II. iv. (ed. 4), 218. Where a ship might come to an anchor … though the anchorage is inconvenient.
1779. T. Forrest, Voy. N. Guinea, 311. Many bays … affording good anchorage.
1835. Sir J. Ross, N.-W. Pass., ix. 127. The wind came from the south-east, and rendered it necessary for us to cast off from the floe which had been our anchorage for so many days.
1878. Markham, Gt. Frozen Sea, iii. 39. The scenery as we approached the anchorage was truly magnificent.
3. transf. A position affording support, a hold.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. § 11. 70. I crossed the fissure, obtained the anchorage at the other side, and helped the others over.
1883. W. Conant, in Harper’s Mag., 930/1. The anchorages are solid cubical structures of stone masonry.
4. fig. A point of support or rest for the mind or feelings; something on which to depend or repose.
1677. Yarranton, Eng. Improv., 21. Suppose all the houses in Lombard-street to be put into a Register … let them be the Credit, Anchorage, Fund and Foundation to build your Bank upon.
1746. Hervey, Medit. & Cont. (1818), 80. Here they enjoy safe anchorage; are in no danger of foundering amidst the waves of prevailing iniquity.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng., IV. xix. 151. The Church anchorage no longer tenable in the change of wind, and the new anchorage in the Bible as yet partially discovered and imperfectly sounded.
5. A toll or charge for anchoring; anchorage-dues.
1516. Churchw. Acc. St. Marg. Westm. (1797), 8. For 24 ton of barnestone with the pylage, ankarage, stallage … £11.
1661. Marvell, Corr., 29, Wks. 1872, II. 68. Mr. Porter … hath giuen order to stop the Primage, loadage, &c.: and will the anchorage as soon as he has seen your charter.
1755. Magens, Insurances, II. 210. Extraordinary Pilotage and Anchorage … shall appertain to common Average.
6. ‘The set of anchors belonging to a ship.’ Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., 1867.
1588. Shaks., Tit. A., I. i. 73. The Barke … Returnes with precious lading to the Bay, From whence at first she weigh’d her Anchorage.
7. Comb. anchorage-ground = anchorage 2, 4.
1824. W. Irving, T. Trav., I. 272. I had no longer an anchorage-ground for my heart.
