"Weigh anchor" is a nautical term that means to lift the anchor off the seabed in preparation for sailing. The word "weigh" is spelled with the 'ei' combination, which is pronounced as /eɪ/. The 'gh' in "weigh" is silent, making the word pronounced as /weɪ/. Meanwhile, "anchor" is spelled phonetically, with each letter being pronounced as usual. The entire phrase is pronounced as /weɪ ˈæŋkər/ and is commonly used by sailors and seafarers to signal the start of a voyage.
Weigh anchor is an idiomatic expression used in nautical terminology that refers to the action of raising a ship's anchor from the seabed in order to set sail. Derived from the nautical sense of anchor (a heavy object dropped to the bottom of the sea or a river to prevent a vessel from drifting), weighing anchor involves using mechanical or manual means to hoist the anchor back onto the ship, allowing it to begin moving.
The process of weighing anchor typically involves the use of a windlass or capstan, which are mechanisms designed to provide the necessary power to lift the weight of the anchor and the chain or rope attached to it. This task can be physically demanding, requiring the coordinated effort of a crew working together to maneuver the anchor out of the water and secure it on board.
Weighing anchor is a significant event in a ship's journey, signaling the departure from a current location and the commencement of a voyage. It represents an important moment of transition, as the ship is freed from its fixed position and prepared to navigate through open waters. This expression is also used metaphorically to indicate the start of any new endeavor or undertaking, emphasizing the idea of embarking on a journey or setting out on a new path.
The phrase "weigh anchor" has its origins in naval terminology and dates back to the era of sailing ships. The word "weigh" in this context is derived from the Old English word "wege", meaning weight. "Anchor", on the other hand, traces its roots to the Old English word "ancor", which came from the Latin word "anchora" and the Greek word "ankura". So, "weigh anchor" essentially means to raise or lift the ship's anchor from the seabed in preparation for departing or setting sail.