The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. 1. Nautical a. An opening in a ship's side providing access to the interior. b. A porthole. c. Archaic A cover for a porthole. 2. An opening, as in a cylinder or valve face, for the passage of steam or fluid. 3. A hole in an armored vehicle or a fortified structure for viewing or for firing weapons. 4. a. An entrance to or exit from a data network. b. A connection point for a peripheral device. 5. Scots A gateway or portal, as to a town. tr.v. port·ed, port·ing, ports Computers To modify (software) for use on a different machine or platform. [Middle English, gate, porthole, from Old French porte, gate, from Latin porta; see per-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
tr.v. port·ed, port·ing, ports To hold or carry (a weapon) diagonally across the body, with the muzzle or blade near the left shoulder. n. 1. The position of a rifle or other weapon when ported. 2. The manner in which one carries oneself; bearing. [French porter, to carry, from Old French, from Latin portāre; see per-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots. N., Middle English porte, from Old French port, from porter, to carry.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.