pinnace noun. ['pɪnɪs] M16.
[French pinace, pinasse (cf. medieval Latin (Gascon) pinacia, pinassa) = Italian pinaccia, Spanish pinaza, prob. ult. from Proto-Romance from Latin pinus PINE noun².]
1. a. A small light vessel, usu. two-masted and schooner-rigged, often used for communicating between a senior officer's ship and other vessels under his command. Now Hist. & poet. M16.
b. A small boat (orig. eight-oared, now usu. motor-driven) forming part of the equipment of a warship or other larger vessel. L17.

2. fig. A woman; spec. a mistress; a prostitute. M16-L17.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲