slipway
UK[ˈslɪpweɪ]US[ˈslɪpweɪ]
n
a sloping track leading down to the water, on which ships are built or repaired.
Morpheme Breakdown
slip
way
slip
to slide
way
path
Etymology
the word 'slipway' is a compound noun formed from two native english elements. the first element, 'slip', originates from old english 'slipan', meaning to glide or slide smoothly, a concept with deep proto-germanic roots. the second element, 'way', comes from old english 'weg', denoting a path or road, derived from proto-germanic 'wegaz'. the compound literally means "a sliding path," a logical and descriptive term for a sloping ramp designed to allow ships to slide smoothly into the water from a shipyard or to be hauled out for maintenance.
Analysis
Structure: slip (to slide) + way (path)
slip (old english, meaning to slide or glide smoothly); way (old english, meaning a road, path, or course of travel).
Examples
the new vessel was launched from the shipyard's main slipway.
the old fishing boat was hauled up the slipway for its annual repair.
the construction of the dry dock included a reinforced concrete slipway.