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noun Uncommon

Rodney

ROD-nee
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Rodney (noun) means a small, open wooden rowing boat once common in Newfoundland, traditionally built for one person to fish from close to shore. Example: “His grandfather kept an old rodney tied up at the wharf for jigging cod.”

noun
1
A small, open wooden rowing boat once common in Newfoundland, traditionally built for one person to fish from close to shore.
"His grandfather kept an old rodney tied up at the wharf for jigging cod."
"The museum has a restored rodney on display alongside other traditional outport boats."

How to use Rodney

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small traditional Newfoundland fishing boat, usually rowed by a single person.

When to use it

Regional term specific to Newfoundland and Labrador; not widely known elsewhere.

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Word forms

Plural
rodneys
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His grandfather kept an old _____ tied up at the wharf for jigging cod.

Etymology

Rodney comes from the Old English placename Hrōdanīeġ, Hrōdanīġ (literally "Hroda's island"), from Proto-Germanic *hrōþiz ("fame") and *awjō ("island").

Origin: Old English

Related words

Rhymes for Rodney

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Rodney” mean?
The word “Rodney” means a small, open wooden rowing boat once common in Newfoundland, traditionally built for one person to fish from close to shore. In plain terms, a small traditional Newfoundland fishing boat, usually rowed by a single person.
How do you pronounce “Rodney”?
“Rodney” is pronounced ROD-nee (/ˈɹɑdni/ in IPA).
How do you use “Rodney” in a sentence?
Here is “Rodney” used in a sentence: “His grandfather kept an old rodney tied up at the wharf for jigging cod.”
What part of speech is “Rodney”?
“Rodney” is a noun.
Is “Rodney” a common word?
“Rodney” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What was a "Rodney" boat traditionally used for?
A "Rodney" is a small, open wooden rowing boat traditionally built for one person to fish from close to shore, historically common in Newfoundland. It was designed for practical inshore fishing rather than long voyages.
What is the difference between a "Rodney" and a typical rowboat?
A "Rodney" is a specific type of small, open wooden rowing boat associated with Newfoundland fishing traditions, built for a single fisherman working close to shore. A general rowboat is a broader category that includes many designs not tied to this particular regional use.
Was a "Rodney" designed for one person or a crew?
A "Rodney" was traditionally built for a single person to row and fish from, rather than for a larger crew, reflecting its use for small-scale, close-to-shore fishing.

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