ankers

Ankers is the Dutch plural form of the noun anker, meaning anchor. Ankers refers to devices used to secure vessels or structures to the seabed, preventing movement by resisting wind, current, and waves. In Dutch nautical terminology, ank ers is common in ship logs, charts, and maritime publications.

Etymology: The Dutch word anker is cognate with the English anchor and related terms in other Germanic languages; the roots are shared with Latin ancora and Greek ankhoóra in historical linguistics. This family of words reflects a long-standing maritime vocabulary across Europe.

Types and design: Modern anchors come in several designs optimized for different seabeds. Stockless anchors are common on larger ships; Danforth or fluke-type anchors, plow anchors, grapnels, and mushroom anchors are used for smaller craft or specific conditions. Anchors are typically connected to a vessel by a chain or rope called the rode; the chain helps weight, protects the rope from wear, and reduces line bounce in rough seas. Selection depends on seabed composition (sand, mud, rock), water depth, and vessel size.

Other uses: The term ank ers can appear as a surname or place name in Dutch-speaking areas; outside Dutch, the standard English term for multiple anchors is anchors. In multilingual nautical contexts, ank er-related forms may appear in translations or technical documents.