n. [ D. dek. See Deck, v. ] 1. The floorlike covering of the horizontal sections, or compartments, of a ship. Small vessels have only one deck; larger ships have two or three decks. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The following are the more common names of the decks of vessels having more than one. [ 1913 Webster ]

Berth deck (Navy), a deck next below the gun deck, where the hammocks of the crew are swung. --
Boiler deck (River Steamers), the deck on which the boilers are placed. --
Flush deck, any continuous, unbroken deck from stem to stern. --
Gun deck (Navy), a deck below the spar deck, on which the ship's guns are carried. If there are two gun decks, the upper one is called the main deck, the lower, the lower gun deck; if there are three, one is called the middle gun deck. --
Half-deck, that portion of the deck next below the spar deck which is between the mainmast and the cabin. --
Hurricane deck (River Steamers, etc.), the upper deck, usually a light deck, erected above the frame of the hull. --
Orlop deck, the deck or part of a deck where the cables are stowed, usually below the water line. --
Poop deck, the deck forming the roof of a poop or poop cabin, built on the upper deck and extending from the mizzenmast aft. --
Quarter-deck, the part of the upper deck abaft the mainmast, including the poop deck when there is one. --
Spar deck. (a) Same as the upper deck. (b) Sometimes a light deck fitted over the upper deck. --
Upper deck, the highest deck of the hull, extending from stem to stern. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (arch.) The upper part or top of a mansard roof or curb roof when made nearly flat. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Railroad) The roof of a passenger car. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A pack or set of playing cards. [ 1913 Webster ]

The king was slyly fingered from the deck. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A heap or store. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Who . . . hath such trinkets
Ready in the deck. Massinger. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Aëronautics) A main aëroplane surface, esp. of a biplane or multiplane. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

7. the portion of a bridge which serves as the roadway. [ PJC ]

8. a flat platform adjacent to a house, usually without a roof; -- it is typically used for relaxing out of doors, outdoor cooking, or entertaining guests. [ PJC ]

Between decks. See under Between. --
Deck bridge (Railroad Engineering), a bridge which carries the track upon the upper chords; -- distinguished from a through bridge, which carries the track upon the lower chords, between the girders. --
Deck curb (Arch.), a curb supporting a deck in roof construction. --
Deck floor (Arch.), a floor which serves also as a roof, as of a belfry or balcony. --
Deck hand, a sailor hired to help on the vessel's deck, but not expected to go aloft. --
Deck molding (Arch.), the molded finish of the edge of a deck, making the junction with the lower slope of the roof. --
Deck roof (Arch.), a nearly flat roof which is not surmounted by parapet walls. --
Deck transom (Shipbuilding), the transom into which the deck is framed. --
To clear the decks (Naut.), to remove every unnecessary incumbrance in preparation for battle; to prepare for action. --
To sweep the deck (Card Playing), to clear off all the stakes on the table by winning them. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Decked p. pr. & vb. n. Decking. ] [ D. dekken to cover; akin to E. thatch. See Thatch. ] 1. To cover; to overspread. [ 1913 Webster ]

To deck with clouds the uncolored sky. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To dress, as the person; to clothe; especially, to clothe with more than ordinary elegance; to array; to adorn; to embellish.
Syn. -- adorn, decorate, grace, embellish, ornament, beautify. [ 1913 Webster ]

Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency. Job xl. 10. [ 1913 Webster ]

And deck my body in gay ornaments. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The dew with spangles decked the ground. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To furnish with a deck, as a vessel. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. to knock down (a person) with a forceful blow; as, He decked his opponent with a single punch.
Syn. -- coldcock, dump, knock down, floor. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. a folding chair, usually having arms and a full-length leg rest; -- used for relaxing on the deck of a ship, at poolside, etc. Also called steamer chair [ PJC ]

adj. clothed or adorned with finery.
Syn. -- adorned(predicate), bedecked(predicate)(predicate), decked out(predicate). [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. (Paper Making) Same as Deckle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, decks or adorns; a coverer; as, a table decker. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A vessel or vehicle which has a deck or decks; -- used esp. in composition; as, a single-decker; a three-decker; a double-decker bus. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

n. [ Cf. G. deckel cover, lid. ] (Paper Making) A separate thin wooden frame used to form the border of a hand mold, or a curb of India rubber or other material which rests on, and forms the edge of, the mold in a paper machine and determines the width of the paper. [ Spelt also deckel, and dekle. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. having a rough edge; having a deckle edge; -- used of handmade paper or paper resembling handmade; as, deckle-edged paper; a deckle-edged book.
Syn. -- featheredged. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. + WordNet 1.5 ]

. The rough, untrimmed edge of paper left by the deckle; also, a rough edge in imitation of this. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]