adv. (a.) Naut. Forms: 6–7 a-pike, 7– a-peek, 8– a-peak. [a. Fr. à pic vertically; in naval lang. ‘le bâtiment est à pic sur son ancre’ vertically over its anchor; f. à ‘to, at, according to’ + pic ‘vertex, summit’: see PEAK, PIKE.]
1. In a vertical position; vertical. a. ‘A ship drawn directly over the anchor is apeek; when the forestay and cable form a line, it is short stay apeek; when in a line with the main stay, long stay apeek. The anchor is apeek when the cable has been sufficiently hove in to bring the ship over it.’ Adm. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., 1867.
1596. Sir F. Vere, Comm., 30. By reason of my riding with my Anchor a pike.
1627. Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., ix. 38. Is the Anchor a pike, that is, to heaue the Hawse of the ship right ouer the Anchor.
1670. Dryden, Tempest, I. i. Come, Bullies, chear up! heave lustily. The Anchor’s a Peek.
1790. Beatson, Nav. & Mil. Mem., I. 172. The resolution, to order all their anchors to be heaved a-peak.
1812. Mar. Edgeworth, Manœuvring, iii. The anchor a-peak, and the sails ready for dropping.
b. fig.
1748. Smollett, R. Random (1812), I. 14. He’s going, the land crabs will have him; his anchor’s a-peak.
c. ‘Yards apeek: when they are topped, so as to resemble St. Andrew’s cross; it is done as a token of mourning, or for convenience.’ Adm. Smyth.
1692. in Smith’s Seaman’s Gram., XVI. 80. To Ride a Peek, is when the Yards are so ordered, that they seem to make the Figure of St. Andrews Cross.
d. Oars apeak: held vertically.
[1628. Le Grys, trans. Barclay’s Argenis, 306. Setting their Oares on pike.]
1870. Sund. at Home, 281. (Burial of Mr. Peabody) The ‘Leyden’ … steamed slowly … up the harbour, followed by the boats, the men with oars apeak.
