oa
kum
Plural
oakums
1
a tarred fiber used for caulking seams in wooden ships and as insulation in plumbing
- The shipwright carefully packed oakum into the seams of the wooden hull to make the vessel watertight.
- After removing the old oakum, the ship's crew diligently replaced it with fresh tarred fiber to prevent leaks during the voyage.
- In traditional shipbuilding, oakum was a crucial material used to maintain the integrity of wooden ships by sealing gaps and preventing water ingress.
- Plumbers often use oakum as insulation in plumbing joints to prevent leaks and ensure a secure connection between pipes.
- The sailor deftly wielded the caulking iron, driving oakum into the seams of the ship's deck to protect against the elements.