galley
UK: ˈɡæli | US: ˈɡæli
n. a low, flat ship with one or more sails and up to three banks of oars, used chiefly in ancient and medieval times.
n. the kitchen area of a ship or aircraft.
n. (printing) a long tray used to hold composed type.
The word "galley" traces back to the Old French galie, derived from Medieval Latin galea, meaning "warship." The Latin term likely originated from Greek galea (a type of ship), though its deeper roots are uncertain. Over time, "galley" expanded semantically to include the kitchen area of ships (due to its compact, elongated design resembling the ship's structure) and later printing trays (metaphorically referencing their shape). The suffix "-ey" is a common Old French diminutive or variant ending, though its exact role here is debated.
The ancient Romans used galleys for naval warfare.
The chef prepared meals in the cramped galley of the cruise ship.
Printers arranged metal type in the galley before transferring it to the press.
The Mediterranean galley relied heavily on rowers for speed.
Modern aircraft galleys are equipped with compact cooking facilities.