a wide berth

1 definition found

a wide berth - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Berth \Berth\ (b[~e]rth), n. [From the root of bear to produce,
     like birth nativity. See Birth.] [Also written birth.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. (Naut.)
        (a) Convenient sea room.
        (b) A room in which a number of the officers or ship's
            company mess and reside.
        (c) The place where a ship lies when she is at anchor, or
            at a wharf.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     2. An allotted place; an appointment; situation or
        employment. "He has a good berth." --Totten.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. A place in a ship to sleep in; a long box or shelf on the
        side of a cabin or stateroom, or of a railway car, for
        sleeping in.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Berth deck, the deck next below the lower gun deck. --Ham.
        Nav. Encyc.
  
     To give (the land or any object) a wide berth, to keep at
        a distance from it.
        [1913 Webster]