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Harbor vs Quay - What's the difference?

harbor | quay |

Harbor is a see also of quay.


As nouns the difference between harbor and quay

is that harbor is a sheltered expanse of water, adjacent to land, in which ships may dock or anchor, especially for loading and unloading while quay is (nautical) a stone or concrete structure on navigable water used for loading and unloading vessels; a wharf.

As verbs the difference between harbor and quay

is that harbor is to provide a harbor or safe place for while quay is to land or tie up at a quay or similar structure, especially used in the phrase "quay up".

harbor

English

Alternative forms

* harbour (Commonwealth) * herberwe (obsolete) * herborough (obsolete)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A sheltered expanse of water, adjacent to land, in which ships may dock or anchor, especially for loading and unloading.
  • A harbor''', even if it is a little '''harbor , is a good thing, since adventurers come into it as well as go out, and the life in it grows strong, because it takes something from the world, and has something to give in return -
  • Any place of shelter.
  • The neighborhood is a well-known harbor for petty thieves.

    Derived terms

    * harborage * harbormaster * harbor seal * safe harbor

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To provide a harbor or safe place for.
  • *{{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author= Katie L. Burke
  • , title= In the News , volume=101, issue=3, page=193, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola. A recent study explored the ecological variables that may contribute to bats’ propensity to harbor such zoonotic diseases by comparing them with another order of common reservoir hosts: rodents.}}
  • To take refuge or shelter in a protected expanse of water.
  • To hold or persistently entertain in one's thoughts or mind.
  • See also

    * haven * dock

    References

    * * * * * Random House Webster's Unabridged Electronic Dictionary , 1987-1996.

    quay

    English

    (wikipedia quay)

    Alternative Forms

    *cay

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (nautical) A stone or concrete structure on navigable water used for loading and unloading vessels; a wharf.
  • Derived terms

    * quayside

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To land or tie up at a quay or similar structure, especially used in the phrase "quay up".
  • See also

    * dock; pier; float; cay; harbour, harbor; mole; riprap; wharf ----