Meaning of avast | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Hold fast!; cease!; stop!
2. In imitation of pirates: listen!; pay attention!
   slang

Equivalents

Examples

“Then pull⟳ avvay, hoa up, hoa up, hoa up, ſo avaſt there, Sir.”

“Avaſt, brother, avaſt! ſheer off—Yo ho! you turnkey, vvhy don't you keep⟳ a better look⟳ out? here's one of your crazy priſoners broke from his laſhings, I do ſuppoſe.”

“[T]he sail⟳ went into the water, and he could not drag⟳ it in. "Avast heaving," said Gascoigne, "till I throw⟳ her up and take⟳ the wind out of it."”

“[S]he caught me as I was again trying to force⟳ the open⟳ the door. "I won't allow⟳ it; I won't have⟳ my premises spoiled. Go for the locksmith, there's one about a mile from here. But avast!" putting her hand in her side-pocket, "here's a key that'll fit, I guess⟳; let's see⟳." And with that, she turned it in the lock⟳; but, alas! Queequeg's supplemental bolt remained unwithdrawn within.”

“"Avast, there!" cried Silver. "Who are you, Tom Morgan? Maybe you thought you was cap'n here, perhaps. By the powers, but I'll teach⟳ you better![…]"”

“"Avast there!" cried the captain, and as though to punctuate his remark⟳ he swung the heavy stick⟳ he usually carried full upon the back of Billy's head.”

“"That landlubber's stole me dog!" Armpit cried. "Avast, ye dog thief!" he roared to the man.”

“Avast, ye landlubbers!”

“[“Pirate Talk⟳: How to Make⟳ It Work⟳ for You”, page 35] Avast—"Stop⟳ and give⟳ attention." It can be used in a sense⟳ of surprise⟳: "Whoa! Get⟳ a load⟳ of that!" when a beautiful woman walks into the room. "Avast! Check out the bowsprit on that fine beauty!" you might say⟳. […] [“Cap’n Slappy’s Practical Parrot Pointers”, page 166] Arrrr! Avast, Cap'n Slappy. Does ye know⟳ where the treasure of the Sierra Madre be buried? If ye don't tell⟳ me its whereabouts, I'll have⟳ to swing⟳ ye from the yardarm, matey.”

CEFR level