different between bitts vs crossbeam

English

Etymology

Middle English, probably of Low German or North Germanic origin, and the English form a corruption or contraction, from Old Norse biti, probably ultimately from a variant of Proto-Germanic *bitiz. Compare Swedish beting and Danish beding.

Noun

bitts pl (plural only)

1. (nautical, plural only) A frame composed of two strong oak timbers (bitt-heads) fixed vertically in the fore part of a ship, bolted to the deck beams to which are secured the cables when the ship rides to anchor

Derived terms

References

• An etymological dictionary of the English language, p. 65
• Oxford English Dictionary, 1884–1928, and First Supplement, 1933.

Luxembourgish

Verb

bitts

1. second-person singular present indicative of bidden

English

Etymology

cross +? beam

Noun

crossbeam (plural crossbeams)

1. A horizontal structural beam that runs perpendicular to the primary support beams; a girder.

   The workman hung a light from a crossbeam between the main joists.

2. (nautical) A beam laid across the bitts, to which the cable is fastened when riding at anchor.

Translations