Hobson-Jobson
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ALMADIA

s. This is a word introduced into Portuguese from Moorish Ar. al-ma'dīya . Properly it means 'a raft' (see Dozy , s.v.). But it is generally used by the writers on India for a canoe, or the like small native boat.

Historical Citations (4)

  1. "E visto che non veniva nessuno ambasciata, solo venia molte abadie, cioè barche, a venderci galline...."—Giov. da Empoli, in Archiv. Stor. Ital., p. 59.
  2. See quotation from Pinto under ALLIGATOR.
  3. "Light vessels which they call almadia."—Pyrard della Valle, Hak. Soc. i. 122; and also see under DONEY.]
  4. "Huma Almadia pera serviço do dito Baluarte, com seis marinheiros que cada hum ven-se hum x(erafi)m por mes ... xs 72."—Expenses of Diu, in Bocarro (Sloane MSS. 197, fol. 175).

From Hobson-Jobson by Yule & Burnell, 1886.