Pōrt1, n.
n. 1. [Fr. & Pr. port, It. & Pg. porto, Sp. puerto, Lat. portus, A.-S. port.] A place where ships may ride secure from storms; an inlet, recess, or cove of water where vessels may float in safety; a harbor; a haven.
My wandering ship I row, That knows her port, and thither sails by aim. Spenser.
Sense 2. [Fr. porte, Pr., O. Sp., Pg., It., & Lat. porta, N. Sp. puerta, A.-S. port.] (a.) A passage-way; a place of entrance; a gate; a door; an opening to an inclosed place.
He I accuse, The city ports by this hath entered. Shak.
(b.) (Naut.) A passage-way which may be opened or closed in the side of a ship; an embrasure through which cannon may be discharged; also, the lid which closes such an opening. “Her ports being within sixteen inches of the water.” Raleigh. (c.) The same as PORTE. See PORTE. (d.) (Mech.) An opening through which a fluid, as steam, air, water, &c., may pass to the valves of the engine to which it gives motion; a passage leading to a steam-way.
Sense 3. [Fr. port, from porter, Lat. portare, to carry.] (a.) The manner in which a person bears himself; conduct; carriage; demeanor.
Like a modern gentleman Of stateliest port. Tennyson.
(b.) Hence, ability to bear one's self well; standing; position. “The necessities of pomp, grandeur, and a suitable port in the world.” South.
Sense 4. [From Oporto, in Portugal.] A dark-purple astringent wine, made in Portugal.
Sense 5. [Etymology uncertain.] (Naut.) The larboard or left side of a ship; as, a vessel heels to port.
In present usage, port is used instead of larboard, to avoid mistakes that might occur from the similarity of the words starboard and larboard. Totten. Port admiral, the officer having charge of a naval port, and the vessels of war resorting thither. This office does not exist in the American navy. Simmonds.—Port charges (Com.), charges to which a ship or its cargo is subjected in a harbor, as wharfage, &c.—Port of entry, a harbor where a custom-house is established for the legal entry of merchandise.—Port of the voice, the manner in which one manages his voice in singing, especially in making the shakes, passages, and diminutions, in which the beauty of a song consists.—Steam-port, and exhaust-port (Steam-eng.), the openings used either constantly or alternately for the entrance or exit of the fluid, respectively. [See Illust. of Slide-valve.]
Synonyms—Harbor; haven; air; mien; bearing; carriage; demeanor; behavior; deportment.