Search results for 'tow':

tow¹ verb (towed, towing) 1 to pull (a ship, barge, car, trailer, caravan, etc) by rope, chain, cable, etc behind the vehicle one is driving. 2 said of a vehicle: to pull (a ship, barge, car, etc) along by rope, chain or cable. noun 1 an act or the process of towing; the state of being towed. 2 something towed, eg a car. 3 as adj • a tow-rope. towable adj. towed adj. tower noun. towing adj, noun. in tow 1 said of a vehicle: being towed. 2 said of a person: following or accompanying as a companion or escort • She arrived late with several men in tow. on tow said of a vehicle: being towed. under tow said of a vessel: being towed. take someone in tow to put them under one's protection, guidance, control, etc.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon togian.

tow² noun coarse, short or broken fibres of flax, hemp or jute prepared for spinning into rope. towy adj.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon tow-, in compounds such as towlic threadlike.