The difference between Oarlock and Thole

When used as nouns, oarlock means a device attached to the gunwale of a rowboat to hold the oars in place while rowing, whereas thole means the ability to bear or endure something.


Thole is also verb with the meaning: to suffer.

check bellow for the other definitions of Oarlock and Thole

  1. Oarlock as a noun:

    A device attached to the gunwale of a rowboat to hold the oars in place while rowing.

  1. Thole as a verb (intransitive, dated):

    To suffer.

  2. Thole as a verb (transitive, now, Northern England, Northern Ireland, Scotland):

    To endure, to put up with, to tolerate.

  1. Thole as a noun (obsolete, rare, or, regional):

    The ability to bear or endure something; endurance, patience.

    Examples:

    "He’s got no thole for nonsense."

  1. Thole as a noun:

    A pin in the side of a boat which acts as a fulcrum for the oars.

  2. Thole as a noun:

    A pin, or handle, of the snath (shaft) of a scythe.

  1. Thole as a noun (architecture):

    A cupola, a dome, a rotunda; a tholus.

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